Jenna Steffy

Jenna Steffy has been part of the Governors State University community since 2010, first as a student and now as the master’s-level Clinical Coordinator for the Division of Psychology and Counseling. She earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from GovState before continuing into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program, which she completed in 2015.

As an alumna of the program, Jenna brings a unique perspective to her role. Having experienced the challenges and rewards of graduate education herself, she understands firsthand the journey students take as they progress toward their professional goals. Today, she works closely with master’s-level Psychology and Counseling students as they navigate important milestones within their programs, including candidacy, practicum, and internship.

Jenna’s passion for student support grew from her own experiences at GovState and the opportunities she received beyond the classroom. While completing her counseling degree, she participated in a study abroad experience in Italy that sparked a lifelong love of travel and learning about other cultures. The following year, she attended the American Counseling Association Conference in Hawaii, where she had the opportunity to meet prominent figures in the counseling profession, including Dr. Gerald Corey and Dr. Debbie Joffe-Ellis, as well as reconnect with longtime GovState professor Dr. Jon Carlson. The experience also gave her the chance to step outside her comfort zone and try scuba diving for the first time. These experiences helped shape her belief that some of the most meaningful learning happens when students take advantage of opportunities beyond their required coursework.

Outside of work, Jenna enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband visiting family and friends throughout the Midwest. She also enjoys comedy and stand-up shows, crime documentaries, game nights/social gatherings, and her interest in the law of attraction, manifestation, and the significance of 11/11.

Her advice to students is simple: get involved and take advantage of opportunities while you are a student, regardless of your age or where you are in life. She encourages students to explore professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, and American School Counselor Association, as well as state professional organizations and honor societies such as Chi Sigma Iota and Psi Chi. She also encourages students to seek opportunities to participate in faculty research, attend professional conferences, study abroad, or pursue graduate assistantships.

For Jenna, graduate school is about more than earning a degree - it is an opportunity to build relationships, discover new interests, develop a professional identity, and create experiences that can continue to shape your life long after graduation.