The Janice Headley Outstanding Service to ABSAP Award

Today, we are honored to present the Janice Headley Outstanding Service to ABSAP Award to someone whose dedication to this organization has left a lasting mark on our community: Jennifer Crispell.
This award recognizes an individual whose service has significantly advanced ABSAP’s mission and strengthened our impact as an organization.
Because the ABSAP Board of Directors has a unique perspective on the contributions of our members, the Board serves as the selection committee for this honor.
And this year, the choice was clear.
Jen Crispell demonstrated her commitment to ABSAP early on, when she helped plan and execute the ABSAP Conference at Smeal in 2014.
She did so with a small staff, and during a challenging time for the campus, following a major controversy that affected every campus unit, including Smeal.
Even then, Jen showed the steady leadership, resourcefulness, and dedication that would come to define her service to ABSAP.
In 2019, Jen was elected to the ABSAP Board.
At that time, none of us could have imagined how dramatically the world, and our work, were about to change.
During the early days of the COVID outbreak and beyond, Jen led ABSAP’s professional development activities at a time when they were needed more than ever.
As the world cautiously began taking its first steps back toward normal life in 2021, Jen began her presidency of ABSAP.
She recognized that member schools needed more than information.
They needed moral support.
They needed connection.
And they needed the opportunity to learn from the experiments, challenges, and strategic plans of peer schools navigating the same uncertain time.
Under Jen’s leadership, ABSAP’s professional development programming evolved from traditional webinars with speakers and Q&A sessions into more interactive Zoom conversations.
These conversations gave attendees the opportunity to share best practices and speak openly about the challenges they were facing, including reduced budgets, smaller teams, and the ongoing impact of COVID.
And when it was not possible to offer an in-person conference in 2021, Jen led the Board in planning and promoting ABSAP’s first, and hopefully last, virtual conference.
Jennifer served on the ABSAP Board of Directors from FY19 through FY23, including as President during FY22 and FY23.
Her fingerprints remain on so much of what makes this organization strong today.
Even after her presidency, Jen continued to step forward when ABSAP needed her.
When the Membership Chair unexpectedly had to resign, Jen quickly offered to oversee membership operations while serving as an ex-officio member of the Board as Past President.
She has also continued to provide valuable historical context and guidance, even now that she is no longer serving on the Board.
That kind of service speaks volumes.
Beyond her work with ABSAP, Jennifer brings the same passion for community and connection to her professional life.
She joined the Smeal College of Business at Penn State in June 2010 as a special events assistant for the Alumni Relations Office, where she planned and executed events supporting development, alumni relations, and the Dean’s Office.
Today, as Director of Alumni Relations, Jen oversees the events, programs, and initiatives that connect more than 92,000 Smeal alumni back to their college.
Through her work, she creates opportunities for alumni to engage with students, with one another, and with the institution they call home.
Jen’s service to ABSAP has been thoughtful, generous, and deeply impactful.
She has led during moments of uncertainty.
She has supported her peers with care and intention.
And she has helped strengthen the community that makes ABSAP so special.