Highlighting Excellence #6: Jen Rossi
RJ says he loves you!
While the main focus of this series has been the excellence of our student body, there is no doubt that the administration staff at our school is pretty excellent as well. I believe there is no better exemplar of this fact than Jen Rossi. Jen is the Business Manager for Student Life, where she also supports Campus Life and Career Services. Jen was drawn to Pacific due to the dynamic nature of higher education, as opposed to the rigid structure of the K-12 institution where she had previously been working.
Jen says that she was “drawn to the idea of breaking free from the constraints of rules and bureaucracy” and embraced “the potential for personal growth and larger-scale impact.” During her nearly seven years at Pacific, Jen says that she has “been fortunate to experience this growth firsthand, having been promoted twice during [her] time here.” Jen went to school right here in Stockton California, where she got her AA in Interdisciplinary Studies at Delta College. Jen believes that her associates degree provided her with a solid foundation which has proven invaluable in her career. Jen says her time at Delta equipped her “with the ability to adapt and pivot successfully in any role I've undertaken.”
After asking Jen where she went to school, I then asked her what she likes most about her job. In order to fully capture her response, I have decided to include it below in its entirety.
“My favorite part of my job? That's an easy one, the students, of course! There's something truly special about being there for students from the moment they step foot on campus to the day they graduate. Getting to know them, supporting them through their journey, and witnessing their growth is incredibly rewarding. But what I really love the most is sharing in their moments of triumph whether it's accepting a job offer or getting into grad school. That joy is contagious, and I can't get enough of it!”
As anyone who has ever worked with, interacted with, or had a passing conversation with Jen can attest, her joy is contagious and we students can’t get enough of it. Jen says her proudest achievements at Pacific have been her involvements with several initiatives, especially her contributions to the redesign of the Career Closet in Career Services. Originally, the Career Closet consisted of three rolling racks of clothes that were impractical and unstable. Through dedicated effort, Jen and the Career Services team transformed the closet into a welcoming and organized space that offers students a boutique, yet free, borrowing experience, helping to remove the stigma that students often associate with borrowing clothing for professional events. Jen points to her work with the Career Closet, and her roles in the Staff Advisory Council (where she has been able to contribute to the betterment of the community while also advancing her own professional development) as the things she is most honored to have participated in during her time here at Pacific.
As is customary, I asked Jen what adversities she had overcome to be where she is today. Jen replied that she had faced her fair share of challenges, and that one of the biggest challenges she faced was “the lack of support and guidance in [her] childhood.” Jen realized from an early age that if she wanted to achieve anything, she had to rely on herself. Jen says that “this meant navigating through life's hurdles with little assistance or encouragement from others.” So Jen put her head down and got to work, instead of dwelling on what she lacked, Jen focused on what she could control: her work ethic and determination. Jen says that “every day was an opportunity to strive for improvement, to defy the circumstances I was born into.”
Of course, overcoming these challenges was not easy. But through perseverance and a commitment to bettering herself, Jen carved out a path. She taught herself valuable skills, sought out opportunities for growth and went far beyond her comfort zones. Along the journey Jen “learned the importance of resilience and self-reliance, qualities that have served [her] well in overcoming adversity.”
In the end, Jen claims her mentality is not about blaming anyone or feeling sorry for herself. She asserts that it is all about acknowledging the challenges she faced, embracing them as part of her journey, and using them to propel her forward. Jen avows that she is proud of how far she’s come, and that without her challenges, she would never have become the person she is today.
Finally, I asked Jen what piece of advice she would offer to a graduating student here at the University of Pacific (I secretly just wanted advice for myself). Jen replied that students should “embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.” Jen pointed out that in life, one will inevitably face obstacles and setbacks. Instead of viewing them as roadblocks, she said, we should view them as “chances to learn, adapt, and evolve.” Just like she learned from her own challenges, Jen says that your greatest strengths often emerge from overcoming adversity. “Every setback is a stepping stone towards success.”
Continuing on, Jen contends that we should never “underestimate the power of self-reliance.” While we should seek guidance and support from others, Jen says that our destiny is ultimately in our own hands and that we need to “trust in [our] abilities, work hard, and remain committed to continuous improvement.”
Finally, Jen reminds us to never forget to celebrate our achievements and milestones along the way. She emphasizes that “each accomplishment, no matter how small, is a testament to your hard work and dedication. So, as you embark on the next chapter of your journey, carry with you the lessons learned from your challenges, and let them inspire you to reach even greater heights.”
In closing, Jen had one thing left to say to all the graduating seniors of the class of 2024:
“Congratulations, and best of luck on your future endeavors!”