Stanislaus State’s Jennifer “Jen” Sturtevant has been recognized with the NASPA Region VI Dorothy Keller New Professional Award for her exceptional contributions to student affairs.
NASPA presented the award to Sturtevant during its Western Regional Conference, held last month in Las Vegas.
As the director of Stan State’s Basic Needs program, Sturtevant has made significant strides in supporting student well-being and success.
"I am filled with gratitude for being nominated for this award," she said. "It is humbling to receive recognition, however, none of this work can be done alone. This honor recognizes all the hard work of many. It is truly a collective effort with the dedication, hard work and compassion of an incredible team and an extremely supportive campus community who are all committed to supporting students’ success and well-being. I am honored to work at Stanislaus State, a University that truly cares about students."
Vice President for Student Affairs Christine Erickson lauded Sturtevant for her genuine approach and impact.
“Jen is easily one of the most sincere, authentic, humble, and encouraging new professionals I have ever worked with,” Erickson said. “She is wise beyond her years. It is an incredible joy to watch her growth. Her positive attitude, infectious laugh and her general way of being make her a pleasure to work with for staff and students alike.
“She has a commitment to positive change and in four short years has already significantly contributed to the growth of advocacy efforts and student success at Stan State and in the state as a whole.”
Since her appointment as interim care manager in 2019, Sturtevant has been at the forefront of expanding the Basic Needs program. Under her guidance, the program has grown from a single-person initiative to a full-fledged department with a dedicated team committed to addressing food and housing insecurity among students. Basic Needs now encompasses several resources including the Warrior Food Pantry, food distribution, emergency grants, temporary housing, nutrition education and others.
Her dedication to the well-being of students extends far beyond the boundaries of Stanislaus State. She currently serves as co-chair for Basic Needs at the California State University Office of the Chancellor and collaborates with all CSU campuses to drive initiatives that enhance student success across the state, impacting students throughout the CSU system.
A Turlock native, Sturtevant earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Stanislaus State and a Master of Arts in Child Development from Sacramento State.
The NASPA Region VI Dorothy Keller New Professional Award recognizes the significant role that dedicated professionals like Sturtevant play in enriching students’ college experience, demonstrating the critical impact of student affairs in fostering an environment where students can thrive academically and personally.
