Jenna Beckwith Messman ‘06 B.S. Psychology, and Crime, Law and Justice, ‘08 M.Ed. Counselor Education Sexual Health Program Coordinator at the University of Maryland
Jenna is so involved in her work that she recently received two awards from university organizations at Maryland. She was named Champion of Diversity by the Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy office, an award presented to a faculty/staff member on campus who goes beyond the scope of their assigned duties in supporting diversity efforts on campus. She also earned the Defender of Diversity award from the LGBT Staff and Faculty Association. Jenna has served in her role at the Maryland Health Center since 2011 and is a doctoral student. Her research interests include resources for families raising transgender or gender nonconforming children and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health program design and implementation. She coordinates sexual health education programming and service needs of the campus community; trains, supervises and instructs peer educators; provides sexual healthy consultations; and serves as an active LGBTQ advocate and ally on campus. She also was honored in 2013 with the Advocate for Equity Award from the LGBT Equity Office.
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Alumni Feature
“The relationships I developed with faculty and staff in the College of Education were, by far, the most impactful component of my graduate school experience. They took the time to get to know me, learn about my passions and goals, and ask how they could support and mentor me to achieve my ambitions as a student and as a professional. I have continued to receive invaluable encouragement and guidance from these mentors as I have navigated my career in higher education, licensure processes and my own progress toward a doctoral degree. I feel privileged to ‘pay it forward’ and dedicate the same investment and care in the relationships I now have with college students that I instruct and supervise. While at Penn State, I was able to observe, hone and model this genuine and creative team approach to helping students become their best selves as they reach for greatness. It not only benefits my students and colleagues but has proven to be most rewarding for me as well.’’