Jennifer Pocai

Senior Program Manager

Jennifer Pocai is a senior program manager for Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s Postsecondary Success for Parents (PSP) initiative. Jennifer manages the initiative’s institutional practice portfolio, working directly with faculty, staff, and leadership at postsecondary institutions and programs. 

Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in project, program, and grant management in an educational setting. Prior to entering the realm of higher education policy and research, she was a practitioner at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) for close to seven years. While at NVCC, Jennifer managed programs and initiatives that supported students facing barriers to postsecondary access and success with a specific focus on adult learners and parenting students. After completion of her master’s degree, Jennifer began working as a Research Analyst for the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) and was then promoted to Research and Programs Manager. While at IHEP, Jennifer provided program management for Degrees When Due, a three-year national completion initiative designed to help institutions, systems, and states increase degree attainment among individuals with some college credit, but no degree.

Jennifer returned to college as an adult and parent to complete her bachelor’s degree in Higher Education Administration in 2015 and master’s degree in Higher Education in 2019, both from George Mason University (GMU). Her graduate practicum was spent supporting GMU’s Student Parent Working Group in data gathering and analysis and strategic planning. Jennifer has lived in the DC metro area since she was a young child and enjoys taking advantage of the area’s parks, museums, and cultural activities.

Favorite Part of my Role

I love knowing the work I do contributes to institutional practice and policy change that will lead to successful outcomes for more student parents like myself.

Stories featuring Jennifer Pocai

The Postsecondary Success for Parents initiative established the Black and Native Family Futures Fund to build capacity and provide financial support ...
BlogDecember 3, 2024
RFP for HBCUs and TCUs to apply for funding and technical assistance to support student parent success on their campuses One in five college students ...
Aspen Postsecondary Success for ParentsJuly 20, 2022

Convenings Featuring Jennifer Pocai

Location: Virtual
With institutional cultures that are rooted in family, community, and holistic supports, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are uniquely positioned to catalyze the systemic change needed...
ConveningNovember 14, 2024
– November 14, 2024
Location: Virtual
Do you work at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) or Tribal Colleges and University (TCU) committed to supporting the success of student parents? Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s Black and Native Family Futures Fund is a new...
ConveningSeptember 7, 2022
Location: Virtual
Do you work at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) or Tribal Colleges and University (TCU) committed to supporting the success of student parents? Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s Black and Native Family Futures Fund is a new...
ConveningAugust 18, 2022