JENNIFER SELTZER STITT
Sandy
Summary
Mission driven professional experienced with policy research and analysis, ensuring data-driven and evidence-based actionable insights to drive decision-making processes. Expertise in strategic planning and program development, combined with a commitment to fostering collaborative team environments that drive innovative solutions. Valued for adaptability and reliability, with strong focus on critical thinking and effective communication.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Community Relations
Salt Lake Community College
01.2012 - Current
- Lead place-based engagement policies, practices, programs, and resources that drive institutional community relations, engagement, and stakeholder management
- Direct community relations strategy and partnerships, including: research, design, and implement place- and community-based engagement strategies; designed and manage database to track engagement programs and outcomes; lead community forums; launch and manage Community Relations outreach and impact reporting; design and secure funding for SLCC Center for Community Knowledge
- Developed curriculum and lead cohort-based professional development workshop series
- Evaluate community relations program outcome alignment with institutional engagement goals
- Created and manage internal community engagement grant program
- Lead/serve on cross-functional internal committees, including: Community Mapping Project, GIS Mapping and Analysis (co-chair, 2025-current); Strategic Planning, Vision Matrix Committee (2025-current); Hispanic Serving Institutions Committee (2024-current); Senior Leadership Team (2014-current); SLCC Pride Parade Committee (chair, 2023-current); Carnegie Design, Data Collection and Analysis, and Engagement (chair, 2015-2023)
- Represent College to strategic external coalitions and partners to meet partner and institutional engagement and visibility goals
- Led successful institution-wide effort to secure national 2012 Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement award, one of four community colleges to receive the designation that year
- Manage $230,000 budget, three-person staff, contract employees, and volunteers
- External Boards and Committees
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Prog Development Foundation Scholarship Committee (2025-current)
- Salt Lake Chamber Women’s Business Forum Advisory Committee (2015-2024)
- Youth Organizing Exploratory Committee (2024)
- Carnegie Classification Tier One Review Team (2023)
- Salvation Army Advisory Board (2018-2021)
- Community & Support Services Advisory Council, Salt Lake County (2017-2021, chair 2020)
- University of Utah University Neighborhood Partners Advisory Board (2013-2019)
Director, Federal Legislative Affairs
Families Against Mandatory Minimums
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Worked closely with congressional offices, members of the executive branch, practitioners, and community and faith groups to analyze issues, draft and move legislation, and develop public relations strategy and campaigns
- Built and led a coalition of 150 national, state, and local organizations in support of criminal justice reform, secured Administration suggested appropriation of $2 million
- Developed strategy and successfully moved legislation through Congress, including passage of legislation eliminating the first federal mandatory minimum since the Nixon administration and lessening the disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentences by an average 27 months for an estimated 3,000 people a year
- Coordinated federal communication strategies and directed federal grassroots outreach
- Represented FAMM to local and national print media, local radio, and at local and national conferences
- Represented FAMM with foundations and individual donors
- Worked with the U.S. Sentencing Commission to reform policy, including successful push to reduce recommended sentences for crack cocaine offenses and apply changes retroactively
Director of Public Policy
Population Institute
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Responsible for legislative policy and appropriations strategy, public education efforts, congressional briefings, lobby day trainings and related activities
- Represented organization in public forums, including conferences and trainings
- Led and participated in strategic partnerships and coalitions designed to achieve policy goals and enhance the organization’s reputation
- Drafted organizational materials, including Congressional testimony, letters to 15,000+ membership, and grassroots training guides and fact sheets
- Managed two-person team
Research Assistant
North American Agreement on Labor Commission on Labor Cooperation
01.2003 - 12.2003
- Conducted original research on labor market and communications technology policy
- Prepared policy briefs, memos, and presentations that synthesized research and provided actionable findings
Senior Security Analyst
Kroll Information Services
01.2000 - 12.2002
- Conducted original research on the socioeconomic, political and security conditions in North, Central, and South America and advising clients on conditions as they relate to foreign investment and travel in a deadline-oriented environment
Intern
US Embassy
05.1999 - 08.1999
- Company Overview: Internship, Human Rights
- Monitored human rights developments and drafted memos and reports for use by State Department senior staff
- Internship, Human Rights
Editor/Accounts Coordinator
Student Pugwash USA
01.1996 - 12.1998
- Program and budgeting experience, including management of day-to-day finances and annual audit for $500,000+ budget and drafting, editing, marketing, and distribution of publications
Education
Master of Arts - International Affairs and Latin American Studies
The Johns Hopkins University, Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
Washington, DC01.2000
Certificate - Leading with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah01.2021
Bachelor of Philosophy - Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Political Science
Miami University, Western College of Interdisciplinary Studies
Oxford, Ohio01.1996
Skills
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Project management
- Goal setting
- Change management
- Program management
- Partnerships and alliances
- Cross-functional team leadership
Timeline
Director, Community Relations
Salt Lake Community College
01.2012 - Current
Director, Federal Legislative Affairs
Families Against Mandatory Minimums
01.2007 - 01.2012
Director of Public Policy
Population Institute
01.2004 - 01.2007
Research Assistant
North American Agreement on Labor Commission on Labor Cooperation
01.2003 - 12.2003
Senior Security Analyst
Kroll Information Services
01.2000 - 12.2002
Intern
US Embassy
05.1999 - 08.1999
Editor/Accounts Coordinator
Student Pugwash USA
01.1996 - 12.1998
Master of Arts - International Affairs and Latin American Studies
The Johns Hopkins University, Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
Certificate - Leading with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
University of Utah
Bachelor of Philosophy - Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Political Science
Miami University, Western College of Interdisciplinary Studies
Similar Profiles
Xanti EcheverriaXanti Echeverria
Event Peer Leader at Salt Lake Community CollegeEvent Peer Leader at Salt Lake Community College
Drishti PrajapatiDrishti Prajapati
Nursing Assistant Trainee at Salt Lake Community CollegeNursing Assistant Trainee at Salt Lake Community College
George AlonsoGeorge Alonso
SLCC Exercise Science Department - Specialist I at Salt Lake Community CollegeSLCC Exercise Science Department - Specialist I at Salt Lake Community College
LuAnne LangfordLuAnne Langford
Office Manager at Precision Laser ProcessingOffice Manager at Precision Laser Processing
Hunter DoyleHunter Doyle
Assistant Health Staff at Girl Scouts of ColoradoAssistant Health Staff at Girl Scouts of Colorado