About Jessica:
Jessica grew up in Tulsa and values the indispensable work nonprofits do in Oklahoma. Her current role at OKCNP allows her to combine her abiding passions - facilitation, learning, and engaging community change work - on a daily basis. She thrives on the "aha" moments in learning environments that can legitimately shift the direction of someone's thinking or make their work in the community more powerful.
Jessica returned to Oklahoma in 2019 after spending eight years at the University at Albany, SUNY, where she received a doctorate in English Literature. Jessica began teaching at universities in 2009; since then, she has taught at the University of Oklahoma, the University at Albany, and the University of Tulsa. In her most recent role at the University of Tulsa, she was a Student Success Coach and and Curriculum Coordinator for 30+ sections of First Year Experience, Transfer Experience, and Effective Learning Strategies courses. There, she oversaw instructor training and the design and implementation of first-year courses. As a certified coach, Jessica worked with students in one-on-one sessions to provide a holistic, individualized support. Her coaching and curriculum work with first-year students emphasized Community, Finances, Effectiveness, Time Management, and Academics.
Jessica brings experience with families and children involved in foster care. As a Child Welfare Specialist, Jessica worked collaboratively with children and families to ensure both child safety and that the medical, educational, physical, and psychological needs of children and parents were met in order to move families toward either reunification or alternative plans for permanency.
Jessica's work with nonprofits includes community organizing and direct service with immigrant and refugee families through New Sanctuary for Immigrants. In 2016, with a group of ten others, she co-founded and began service on the coordinating committee for ICE-Free Capital District, a nonprofit organization committed to defending immigrant community members through public and political advocacy in the state of New York. She has also served as a union organizer with the Graduate Student Employees Union (CWA 1104) at UAlbany. Through these organizing roles, she has facilitated numerous community workshops on Rapid Response, Know Your Rights, Cultural Consciousness, Advocacy, and more.