Jennifer Placke

Results-driven higher education professional with over ten + years of leadership experience, specializing in student support services for marginalized populations. Expertise in student recruitment, retention, academic advisement, transition support, and graduate school admission process. Recognized for strong leadership, innovative program development, and the ability to motivate students and teams.

Brings exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills to drive stakeholder engagement.

Assistant Director, TRiO Student Support Services at Austin Peay State University (2014-10 – Present)

Provide day-to-day support and management in recruitment, persistence, good standing, and graduation objectives. Collaborate and develop stakeholder relationships across campus departments to build a network for student success. Lead academic and personal counseling services, academic preparedness, course and major selection, graduate school advising, and financial literacy education.

• Increased program enrollment by 10% annually through target outreach and engagement strategies
• Rebranded TRiO Student Support Services (SSS), resulting in an increase in student engagement
• Collected and reviewed data, and compiled the Annual Performance Report (APR) for the Department of Education
• Consistently surpassed TRiO Student Support Services federal persistence, good standing, and graduation goals
• Collaborated with program staff and campus staff to deliver student services, programming, and activities
• Collaborated with the Latino Community Center to oversee financial literacy initiatives and facilitate bilingual FAFSA workshops
• Work with Grants and Sponsored Research to waive graduate application fees
• Work with community partners in Clarksville and Nashville to provide enrichment activities
• Researched, developed, organized, and presented the Summer Bridge Programs of 2011-present for Austin Peay State University, TRiO eligible, first-time freshmen, and transfer students
• Collaborated with the Department of International Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) with International Friends. TRiO SSS students offer mentorship and English conversational partners for international students.
• Reviewed and maintained Blumen database entries, statistics, and APR data
• Edited and reviewed three successful federal TRiO Student Support Service grants
• Researched and wrote Competitive Preference Priorities I and II
• Created data charts, graphs, and logic models for grant narratives
• Relieve the TRiO SSS Director of operational clerical, office management, and administrative decisions when appropriate

Tutor and Technology Coordinator, TRiO Student Support Services at Austin Peay State University (2012-03 – 2014-09)

Select, train, evaluate, and supervise tutors and computer lab assistants to maintain academic support and success. Coordinate scheduling of tutorial requests for TRiO SSS students. Maintained and updated the computer lab equipment. Maintained and edited entries in Blumen data system. Develop and coordinate the annual Summer Technology Bridge Program.

Adjunct Professor, Health and Human Performance Department at Austin Peay State University (2011-08 – 2013-05)

Instructed students on American Red Cross (ARC) standards before giving care procedures, adult/child CPR, adult/child AED, and first aid care. Administer written standardized ARC and hands-on skills tests for certification.

Graduate Assistant, TRiO Student Support Services at Austin Peay State University (2008-08 – 2009-05)

Tutored students in English Composition I & II, Technical Writing, Statistics, Human Biology, Biology, Chemistry, and Zoology. Assisted students in developing analytical and study skills, and Windows applications. Maintained order in the TRiO computer laboratory. Input tutoring sessions into the Blumen database.

Ed.D in Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration – Austin Peay State University (2026-08)

M.S. in Sports Wellness and Leadership – Austin Peay State University (2009)

B.S. in Wellness Promotion Specialization – Austin Peay State University (2008)