Dr. Emma R. Fenceroy was born in Rayville, Louisiana on May 1, 1944. She completed her elementary and high school education in the Rayville area and began her post secondary education at Grambling State University where she graduated with honors with the B.S. degree in Mathematics. Early in her career, Dr. Fenceroy satisfied her curiosity in biology by completing the M.S. degree in Biology from Ball State University. She then entered Texas State University to obtain the M.S. degree in Mathematics. She later enrolled in the graduate program at the University of Alabama on a United States Title III National Faculty Fellowship and received the Ph.D. degree in Mathematics in the 70s.

Dr. Fenceroy held memberships in several professional organizations: the Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society; the Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society; the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; and Phi Beta Kappa. She was an outstanding faculty member of the Florida A&M University Department of Mathematics and won several Teacher of the Year awards. She achieved the rank of professor in the Department and served as chairperson for a number of years. She is noted for the significant role she played in the success of the Florida A&M University College Level Academic Skills Program (CLASP), particularly in the realm of mathematics. During her twenty-five years of dedicated service at FAMU, Dr. Fenceroy made significant contributions to the University while serving on the University Faculty Senate, University Tenure and Promotion Committee, and the College of Arts & Sciences Chair Council. Dr. Fenceroy had a passion for helping students and she worked incessantly for their academic and professional development.