“Jenna has gone above and beyond in creating a meaningful experience for our first-year engineering students. She invested significant time over the summer developing our syllabus and intentionally reaching out to guest speakers who could bring relevant, real-world perspectives to our students. Throughout the semester, she has planned engaging experiences such as an engineering building scavenger hunt, career fair preparation, and a tour of the Mizzou Nuclear Reactor. When a planned Career Services presentation fell through, Jenna immediately stepped in and shared her own resume and experiences as a woman in engineering, turning an unexpected challenge into a valuable learning opportunity. She consistently looks for ways to connect students to engineering, Mizzou, and their future careers. As Jenna’s Co-Facilitator, I have seen firsthand how much ownership she has taken in making this FIG successful. She has consistently communicated with me throughout the planning process, kept me informed, sought my input, and genuinely listened to my advice while taking initiative of her own. What stands out most is that Jenna is not simply completing the responsibilities of a PLA—she genuinely cares about giving these students a strong start to their engineering journey. Her initiative, maturity, and willingness to invest her own time and experiences for the benefit of others make her an exceptional student leader.”

Being a Peer Learning Advisor (PLA) has been a highlight of my Mizzou experience…. I have grown so much in my teaching and leadership skills. Receiving the FIG Excellence in Leadership Award motivated me to apply to be a PLA for both business and first-generation college students. My upbringing as a first-gen student from a rural community helps me connect with freshmen, and it is a privilege to have an impact on first-gen students.

–Audrey Snider, marketing and film production major