4 minute read
Nourishing Potential
Basic Needs Program Flourishes Under Leadership of Alumna
By Donna Birch Trahan
In the heart of California’s Central Valley at Stanislaus State, Jennifer “Jen” Sturtevant leads the University’s Basic Needs program, an initiative that is a critical lifeline for students grappling with insecurities related to food, housing and finances.
Under her leadership, the Basic Needs program has become an integral component of Stan State’s strategy to mitigate the detrimental effects of insecurity on student life. Her efforts were recognized last fall when she received the NASPA Region VI Dorothy Keller New Professional Award.
Sturtevant says the accolade isn’t just a personal milestone. She credits the Basic Needs team and the University for their dedication to nurturing student welfare and achievement.
Vice President for Student Affairs Christine Erickson commended both Sturtevant and the program’s comprehensive impact.
“Jen is easily one of the most sincere, authentic, humble and encouraging new professionals I have ever worked with,” Erickson said. “She is wise beyond her years and has a commitment to positive change. In four short years, she has significantly contributed to the growth of advocacy efforts and student success at Stan State and across the state.”
Research underscores the dire circumstances many students face when they experience food or housing insecurity or unexpected financial challenges: higher dropout rates, diminished GPAs and other academic and emotional hurdles.
Over the past four years, under Sturtevant’s guidance, what started as a modest effort has flourished into a robust department. Basic Needs has gone from a single-person office to a fully developed and ever-expanding $1.6 million program with a manager and eight fulltime employees. The range of services offered to students includes resources such as CalFresh outreach, the Warrior Food Pantry, food box distribution, emergency grants, temporary housing, a NOONtrition program and more, forming a comprehensive support system tackling the complex challenges students encounter.
Campus community members understood the need for basic needs services even before the University had a formal program. Stan State’s chapter of the California Faculty Association made a $35,000 gift to fund emergency grants and food security for students and establish the Campus Cares Fund.
“This is a gift of heart,” said Stanislaus State Interim President Sue Borrego. “It’s a legacy gift. Our faculty members can relate to the experiences of our students, finding resonance in their journeys — and they know this assistance matters. Today, our Basic Needs programs provide a broad range of services for students.”
Services provided through Basic Needs are integral components of a broader strategy that redefines help-seeking behavior as a sign of strength and an important element of students’ educational experience and overall health.
The intention is to ensure students have a solid foundation for success, security and focus on their academic and personal development. That sentiment is echoed in the stories of students who’ve offered testimonials of how they’ve benefited from the program's resources.
“Having a place on campus to turn to in challenging times is incredibly meaningful,” wrote one student. “It’s more than tangible aid — it’s about feeling that your success is someone’s priority.”
Stan State’s approach to addressing students’ basic needs isn’t limited to the University’s boundaries.
Sturtevant’s influence stretches beyond the campus with her department’s work often serving as a model for the other 22 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system. Sturtevant cochairs the CSU’s Basic Needs Directors Council and is involved with the California Higher Education Basic Needs Alliance (CHEBNA), which includes the CSU, the University of California and 116 California community colleges and promotes initiatives that empower students across the state.
Erickson further extols Sturtevant’s impact: “She is clearly eager to learn all that she can about putting herself in the best place and position to serve students.”
A native of Turlock, Sturtevant's connection to Stan State and its students is profound. An alumna herself, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and later a Master of Arts in Child Development from Sacramento State. Her evolution from student to advocate to leader illustrates her dedication and commitment to the University’s mission. Sturtevant reflects on the collective achievement the NASPA award represents.
“I am filled with gratitude for this nomination,” she said. “Receiving this honor is humbling, but it is not an individual accomplishment. It recognizes the collective hard work and compassion of an incredible team and a supportive campus community, all dedicated to championing student success and well-being.”
Jen’s genuine approach has significantly benefited not just individual students, but our entire campus culture. She is a force for change, creating an atmosphere where students feel comprehensively supported.
- Christine Erickson
