UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jennifer Koehl, assistant teaching professor and undergraduate program coordinator in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been chosen to receive the college’s Community of Advising Excellence Award.
Elizabeth Karcher, associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Agricultural Sciences, said the award celebrates outstanding academic advisers whose dedication, leadership and student-centered practices profoundly shape student success.
“Dr. Koehl consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to student access and support by maintaining generous office hours, responding rapidly to student inquiries and offering multiple advising touchpoints,” she said. “Students describe feeling known, supported and confident in her advising, even from their very first interaction. This level of accessibility creates trust and ensures students can make timely, informed decisions about their academic and professional paths.”
Additionally, Karcher said, that beyond her individual advising, Koehl has elevated advising across the department by developing a Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences curriculum Advising Crash Course, creating a centralized advising SharePoint site, and securing National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions training and Veterinary Medical College Application Service admissions data, all resources previously unavailable to the department. Koehl also analyzed and shared these data with colleagues to validate and refine advising benchmarks, strengthening advising accuracy across programs.
Koehl said that, to her, winning the award means more than a single moment of recognition.
“It also reflects the quiet, everyday work of showing up for students in meaningful ways,” she said. “It’s the countless emails answering questions big and small, the meetings where we untangle academic paths or life stressors together, and the celebrations — both formal and informal — when a student finds their footing or reaches a long-worked-for milestone.”
Koehl is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and has worked in small animal general practice, emergency and relief roles throughout her career in addition to adjunct teaching.
She began teaching at Penn State Altoona in 2017 in the biology department, where she led anatomy and physiology courses for health professions majors, and assumed her current roles at Penn State University Park in 2022. Now, she also coordinates the One Health minor, One Health certificate programs, and Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences academic advising and curriculum. She’s also the faculty adviser for the One Health Club.
Jack DeLoren, a fourth-year veterinary and biomedical science major, said Koehl's expertise and passion for her work sets her apart as an adviser.
“I wouldn’t be attending veterinary school next year if it weren’t for Dr. Koehl’s leadership and guidance,” he said. “Above all else, she is a passionate veterinarian, and her devotion to the field, science and animals is exemplified in her tireless effort in continuing the next generation of vets.”
Isabella Olejniczak, a second-year veterinary and biomedical sciences major, agreed, citing Koehl as a vital part of her academic journey.
“Dr. Koehl's guidance allowed me to navigate through my first two years of college smoothly and set me up for success,” she said. “Her welcoming nature and continued support make her the first person I turn to when I need help.”