For her dedication to students over the years, Jennifer Czajkowski was honored with the 2024 Administrative Faculty Award for Student Service Excellence. Not just for her ability to assist students with developing an academic plan each semester, but because of her philosophy on what it means to truly serve students coming to the Academic Success Center for guidance.
“I’m here to serve the student holistically by building rapport — creating a safe space by sometimes sharing my own trials and successes, and asking questions they might not have been asked,” says Czajkowski. “My goal is to give them tools to use after our appointment that teach them to think critically about exploring majors and career options, all of which will help them to transition from being a successful college student to starting a career they love.”
After earning a bachelor's and master's degree, Czajkowski began her career in higher education while living in San Diego, California. When her husband changed jobs, the couple moved to Las Vegas in 2013 and she began working at UNLV as an academic coordinator with the Center for Academic Education and Outreach.
In 2019, she shifted comfortably into her current role as an academic advisor for first-year students. “I like to help make the process to start college, or return to college (for our returning students) as seamless as possible,” she says. “Sometimes issues arise — financial, family obligations, disabilities, etc. — that could easily prevent students from being successful in college. It’s my passion to help them navigate this transitional phase in life.”
What is something that people likely do not know about you?
I lived in Sunderland, England, for six months studying abroad and loved every minute of it! While there, I went to Scotland, Italy, and France. I encourage students to explore this option while in college. There aren’t a lot of other opportunities you’ll have to live abroad for months at a time and become immersed in a culture like you can when you study abroad.
What are your favorite hobbies when you are not busy at work?
My kids keep me really busy outside of work with baseball, soccer, flag football, and running. I love to go hiking, garden, take trips to the beach, and I’m involved in my church and neighborhood.
What keeps you motivated?
My students and my team. I love being a part of helping someone with their education. It can be challenging to navigate higher education, and it brings me such joy to offer guidance, a listening ear, and sometimes tough love! I care so much about my students and helping them achieve their goals.
What is your favorite thing about living in Las Vegas?
When we moved here from California in 2013, we were only planning to stay for two years. I have always loved that it feels like a small town and appreciate the diversity of our community. We are close enough to the beach and absolutely love being surrounded by the mountains.
What inspired you to get into your field?
It took me a long time to get my bachelor’s degree. I struggled to know what major to choose and what career path I wanted to pursue. After years of navigating on my own — they didn’t have awesome advisors like we have now — I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology. I wanted to do something to help others, and thought I would end up in counseling. However, while earning my master’s degree in marriage, family, and child therapy, I started working as an academic counselor and realized this was a perfect fit for me.
