Dear Student,
It is bittersweet that we share the news that Dr. Jennifer Stephan, Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies, has decided to leave Tufts University after 10 years of dedicated service. Jennifer joined the School of Engineering (SOE) in 2016 and has been instrumental in growing and enhancing advising for undergraduate students. She plans to focus on the business she owns, Lantern College Counseling.
In her role, Jennifer oversaw a team of advisors providing support to all SOE undergraduate students and served as a resource for ROTC students across AS&E. She collaborated closely with students, parents, faculty, and staff to help students meet their academic and personal goals, navigate challenges, and access campus resources. Jennifer also participated in orientation events, pre-major advising, and critical academic policies, including degree requirements and senior degree certification processes. She led a transformation of SOE advising from a single-staff function into a team of professional advisors and played a key role in major institutional efforts, including co-chairing the Undergraduate Working Group for President Monaco’s Mental Health Task Force and advancing Tufts’ designation as a JED Foundation campus. At the same time, Jennifer’s work was deeply student-centered. She provided thoughtful, individualized guidance and mentorship to countless students, supporting them through both academic and personal challenges with care and dedication.
Jennifer partnered across the university to improve the student experience in meaningful ways. She worked with Dean Carmen Lowe, the A&S Committee on Academic Standing and Honors, and the SOE Academic Standing Committees to revise academic standing criteria, moving from a single term GPA requirement to a more comprehensive model that examines credit progress against expectations in each year of study. She also collaborated with Tufts Global Education to expand study abroad opportunities for engineering students, including the creation of the summer program in Pavia, and with the Registrar’s Office to transition from manual degree audits to the automated system used today. In addition, she guided advising through the SHU conversion and multiple curriculum transitions, ensuring continuity and clarity for students.
Beyond her official responsibilities, Jennifer has been an active member of the SOE community. She participated in many Commencement ceremonies and events welcoming and celebrating students throughout their educational journey. She was also a valued member of the Dean’s leadership team, helping shape the school’s direction and supporting colleagues across the university.
Jennifer’s last day at Tufts will be June 15 and we are in the early stages of planning a reception for later this spring. Please join us in thanking Jennifer for her incredible contributions to the School of Engineering and in wishing her all the best in her next chapter.
We will share more information later this spring regarding plans to fill the vacancy created by her departure.
Warm regards,
Kyongbum Lee (he, him, his)
Karol Family Professor
Dean, School of Engineering
Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Andrew Ramsburg (he, him, his)
Dean of Undergraduate Education, School of Engineering
Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
