As Director of Outreach & Donor Programs, Jennifer is responsible for envisioning, developing, implementing, and overseeing meaningful donor outreach programs and concierge-level opportunities to complement and support the mission and goals of Texas A&M Foundation. She will utilize strong vendor relationships, creativity, a keen understanding of donor interests, and detailed knowledge of Texas A&M University to craft donor programs and special high-touch events to enhance engagement and inspire philanthropic giving. The Foundation embraces a philosophy that superior donor engagement serves as a bridge from past gifts to future gifts. 

 

Professional Background

Jennifer joins the Foundation directly from The Association of Former Students where she was responsible for managing the Traveling Aggies program. Serving as Manager and Director of Travel Programs, she planned, coordinated, and executed trips all over the world and on all 7 continents growing the program from 10-12 trips per year to 80 plus trips per year reaching approximately 1,500 former students traveling with the Aggies. In this role, she was responsible for maintaining relationships with travelers and tour operators, promoting programs and offerings, coordinating the marketing and branding efforts working with communications, and coordinating scheduled and travel logistics. She served as "the face" of Traveling Aggies cultivating lasting relationships and positive first impressions serving as an ambassador in numerous Association events and engagement opportunities. To carry out these significant responsibilities, she trained staff as "Aggie Hosts" who would host various orchestrated trips.

Prior to her joining the Traveling Aggies, Jennifer worked at Texas A&M University for 10 years first as an Academic Counselor in the Ag Economics department then moved to a role charged with developing and directing the Athletic Career Services Program.  In this capacity she oversaw student-athletes’ summer employment, jobs upon graduation, and NCAA employment compliance. This was a joint endeavor between the Athletic Department, the Career Center, and the Compliance Office.

Jennifer spent 2 years at the University of Minnesota as the Director of Student-Athlete Development where she oversaw 700 student-athletes’ community service, career development, leadership programming, and personal development. She authored a textbook with Prentice Hall publishers in 2000 titled Career Game Plan for Student-Athletes.  During her tenure, she has also taught numerous classes at Minnesota and Texas A&M including Life Skills, Succeeding in College, Career Development, and Leadership Development.

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Education & Volunteer Activities

Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a second bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University. As a true believer in Higher Education, Jennifer completed both her master’s degree and doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M University.

Jennifer currently serves as an emeritus board member from higher education, colleges, & universities on the Executive Advisory Board of the National Educational Travel Conference. She has presented and moderated several sessions annually at the international travel conference and chaired and hosted the 2013 Southeast Travel Planner Conference for schools from the SEC and beyond. Jennifer also serves on the Alumni Council for Oceania Cruises.

She has been involved in the community in many capacities, including Past Presidents of the Brazos County A&M Club, the College Station Noon Lions, the B/CS Jaycees, and the University Advisors and Counselors.  She is a Leadership Brazos Alumni and a former ABWA Woman of the Year. Jennifer was on the Advisory Board for the Division IA Athletic Directors Association for 4 years. Jennifer was recently named to the Board of the Directors of the Brazos County Salvation Army and assists and volunteers with Coach Blair Charities benefiting Special Olympics. Jennifer was faculty advisor for Squadron One of the Corps of Cadets from 1994-1999, winning the Advisor of the Year Award in 1995.  

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Fun Facts about Jennifer

• My undergraduate degrees were in Animal Science and Agricultural Economics. I majored in Ag as I raised cattle/showed steers in high school. I originally wanted to be a veterinarian and even worked in small animal surgery during college. But organic chemistry had other plans for me!

• My dissertation was on career development of former football players in the NEWLY created Big 12 Conference in 1998. That really dates me as the Big 12 has been changing. I was honored that the Big 12 endorsed my research and encouraged the players/schools to participate. My research was in-line with the national average at the time – only about 3% of football players had a career in the NFL.

• I spent “2 winters” in Minneapolis working as Director of Student-Athlete Development at the University of Minnesota. One of the highlights was serving on the 2001 NCAA Final Four Committee.

• During 2019 (pre-pandemic) I was on the road for 237 days. I had the honor of hosting 18 Traveling Aggies trips with 439 travelers on these trips and over 200,000 miles all over the world.