Growing a Career: A Nonlinear Path to Leadership
As a Florida native, Jennifer Sumner, PhD, always knew UCF was special. Her mother graduated from UCF’s nursing program, and after completing her associate degree, she transferred to UCF alongside her twin sister to continue her studies. What she didn’t know then was that UCF would become the place where she would build her entire career—one opportunity, one challenge, and one bold step at a time.
Today, Dr. Sumner serves as Assistant Vice President of Academic Success Coaching and Executive Director of the UCF Higher Education Coaching Academy, leading one of the largest student coaching initiatives in the nation. Her journey from student to senior leader is a testament to what’s possible when curiosity meets opportunity.
A Career That Started with Opportunity
During her undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral years, Dr. Sumner immersed herself in campus life, including student jobs, internships, practicums, research, and leadership roles. “I realized then that UCF was a special place, and as opportunities presented themselves, I took advantage of them,” she said. UCF’s commitment to innovation and bold approaches created an environment where she could explore, experiment, and grow.
Those early experiences shaped her understanding of the university and its people. “Having ‘grown up’ at UCF, I have seen the growth and can also imagine the possibilities,” she reflected. Her time as a student helps her empathize with today’s Knights, while her years as staff and faculty give her insight into the systems that support them.
A Nonlinear Path to Leadership
When asked to describe her career in one word, Dr. Sumner chose nonlinear. She didn’t begin with an end goal. Instead, she followed her interests, embraced new challenges, and allowed each experience to shape the next.
Her path reflects that mindset:
- She first started as a Graduate Teaching Assistant during her doctoral program.
- After graduation, she became a dual faculty member and program coordinator for the Health Sciences Pre-Clinical major.
- She later served as Director for both the Pre-Clinical and Health Services Administration majors.
- Driven by an interest in experiential learning, she transitioned into the role of Director of Internships for four majors, partnering with healthcare organizations nationwide.
- She then became a leader supporting the Bachelor of Applied Sciences major and DirectConnect to UCF.
- She collaborated with leadership in the Division of Digital Learning on the creation and implementation of UCF Online.
- She developed a passion for student coaching and became Assistant Vice Provost for UCF Online.
- When UCF centralized campus advising, she assumed the inaugural role of Assistant Vice President of Academic Success Coaching.
“It has been quite the ride!” she said. Each role expanded her skills, broadened her perspective, and prepared her for the next opportunity.
Moments That Made a Difference
Several turning points shaped Dr. Sumner’s career. One was co-leading the multiyear, university-wide Foundations of Excellence project, where she and her colleagues led more than 200 administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community partners in improving the transfer student experience.
Another was helping build UCF Online’s student services and coaching team. With support from senior leaders, she developed a team of Success Coaches who transformed the university’s work with distance learners.
Most recently, leading the centralized Academic Success Coaching model—now one of the largest in the nation — has been “one of the most rewarding experiences” of her career.
A Culture That Encourages Growth
Dr. Sumner credits her development to the mentors and innovators she has worked alongside. “Whether through observing how they lead or through direct mentorship, each have imparted their wisdom, for which I am grateful.”
UCF’s dynamic culture as a higher education institution has also played a major role. In addition to formal opportunities such as tuition waivers, professional development training, and intellectual resources, Dr. Sumner encourages colleagues to embrace informal opportunities across the institution such as serving on committees, volunteering for projects, seeking mentors, and finding areas to lead.
She emphasizes that growth is a partnership: “There are great opportunities here for career advancement and internal mobility, but one must also be willing to look for those opportunities and, more importantly, prepare for them.”
Work That Changes Lives
Today, Dr. Sumner leads a team that directly supports UCF’s mission. Every undergraduate student is assigned an Academic Success Coach who supports them academically and holistically from orientation to graduation. “The work of our Academic Success Coaches has helped the university to exceed its metric goals and significantly impact the success of our students,” she said.
What motivates her each morning is simple: “The fact that we get to impact the lives of students.” She is especially inspired by her team. “I am aspired by the dedication that they have for students and the perseverance they have shown through much change”.
A Career Intertwined With UCF’s Evolution
Over nearly 20 years, Dr. Sumner has watched UCF transform — from dirt parking lots to Memory Mall, from a fledgling football team to a nationally recognized powerhouse. But the biggest evolution, she says, is how the university welcomes, teaches, and supports students. “While change is always disruptive, for me change has also been a catalyst for growth.”
Two moments stand out as points of pride: UCF’s response to COVID-19 and Hurricane Ian. “The university community rallied, fostered a spirit of caring, and helped to support each other through these events. It was Knights helping Knights, which was amazing.”
A Legacy Honored on Founders’ Day
As Founders’ Day approaches — a day when UCF honors the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of our employees, faculty, and students, and recognizes our exceptional people for their impact and pursuit of excellence — Dr. Sumner reflects on what it means to be part of UCF’s long-serving community. Recently, she attended a meeting where nearly everyone had been at UCF for more than a decade. A new colleague remarked they had never seen such longevity.
“It is very rewarding to be working alongside colleagues who have the same commitment and connection to the University,” she said.
Her journey embodies the spirit of UCF: bold, innovative, and deeply committed to student success. Just as UCF continues to grow, so has she. And her story is a reminder to future Knights: at UCF, careers aren’t just launched, they’re developed, supported, and sustained.
