Jennifer Grube Vestal

Jennifer Grube Vestal has over 20 years of experience in academic support and accessibility/disability services at the college level at both small private liberal arts institutions and at a large state-funded university. While at Denison she has also served as the Acting Dean of Students and was a member of the 2009 Higher Learning Commission Re-accreditation Self-Study Committee. She is a Past President of the Ohio College Personnel Association (OCPA), the state student affairs professional organization and has been tapped as an external reviewer of accessibility/disability services offices at other small liberal arts institutions. Jennifer has presented at national and state conferences on topics related to retention, advising, and supporting college students. The Productivity Circle received the Ohio Personnel Association (OCPA) Innovative Program Award in 2017.

When a student meets with Academic Resource Center staff, our conversation does not focus only on academic classes or “study tips.” Instead, we talk about how all aspects of a student’s life are helping to shape his or her academic experience. Put differently, “when life gets in the way” of being a student, it’s a safe place to talk out options and implications of managing the issue while balancing multiple commitments, an essential life skill. We support students as they develop their ability to set goals, manage competing priorities and self-advocate, so our conversations with students as well as faculty, colleagues and parents reflect the students’ responsibility in developing and navigating their own educational goals.”