Prior to pursuing her PhD, Jessica Jeffers earned her BA in History from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), where she served on the staff of the women’s basketball team under the leadership of Coach Pat Summitt. The lessons derived from Coach Summitt’s leadership, work ethic, and commitment to students are still prevalent in Jessica’s professional and personal outlook today. Following graduation, Jessica earned her MS in Student Affairs and Higher Education (formerly College Student Personnel) from UTK, which provided her unique and impactful experiences in various areas of higher education and student success. She has worked in the field of higher education for over 13 years through a variety of roles, including athletics, advising, and program coordination. Jessica currently serves as the Honors Program Coordinator for the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she teaches courses in service-learning and the first-year experience. Her research interests include experiential learning, with a focus on service-learning in STEM. She is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education.