PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Nourishing
Potential: Basic Needs Program Flourishes Under Leadership of Alumna By Donna Birch Trahan
In the heart of California’s Central Valley at Stanislaus State, Jennifer “Jen” Sturtevant leads the University’s Basic Needs program, an initiative that is a critical lifeline for students grappling with insecurities related to food, housing and finances.
Research underscores the dire circumstances many students face when they experience food or housing insecurity or unexpected financial challenges: higher dropout rates, diminished GPAs and other academic and emotional hurdles.
Under her leadership, the Basic Needs program has become an integral component of Stan State’s strategy to mitigate the detrimental effects of insecurity on student life. Her efforts were recognized last fall when she received the NASPA Region VI Dorothy Keller New Professional Award.
Over the past four years, under Sturtevant’s guidance, what started as a modest effort has flourished into a robust department. Basic Needs has gone from a single-person office to a fully developed and ever-expanding $1.6 million program with a manager and eight fulltime employees. The range of services offered to students includes resources such as CalFresh outreach, the Warrior Food Pantry, food box distribution, emergency grants, temporary housing, a NOONtrition program and more, forming a comprehensive support system tackling the complex challenges students encounter.
Sturtevant says the accolade isn’t just a personal milestone. She credits the Basic Needs team and the University for their dedication to nurturing student welfare and achievement. Vice President for Student Affairs Christine Erickson commended both Sturtevant and the program’s comprehensive impact.
Campus community members understood the need for basic needs services even before the University had a formal program. Stan State’s chapter of the California Faculty Association made a $35,000 gift to fund emergency grants and food security for students and establish the Campus Cares Fund.
“Jen is easily one of the most sincere, authentic, humble and encouraging new professionals I have ever worked with,” Erickson said. “She is wise beyond her years and has a commitment to positive change. In four short years, she has significantly contributed to the growth of advocacy efforts and student success at Stan State and across the state.”
STA N M AGA Z I N E
28