Congratulations to Jennifer Pettibone, office associate in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, on being selected as the recipient of the 2026 OSUAP Administrative Excellence Award!
The Administrative Excellence Award is presented annually to one university employee and one medical center employee who exemplify excellence in their administrative role.
From the Ohio State University Administrative Professionals award website:
Jennifer serves as the administrative assistant for the OSU Leadership Center within the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership. To say she wears many hats is an understatement. In her day-to-day work, Jen seamlessly transitions from serving as the welcoming, “front-line” ambassador for over 1,800 professional development participants annually, to managing complex purchasing logistics and serving as the department’s trusted PCard manager. When a retirement left a critical gap in marketing and communication, Jen didn’t hesitate. She stepped forward, trained herself on website management, newsletter formatting, and workshop software, ensuring that operations continued running smoothly and efficiently.
But technical competence only scratches the surface of why Jen is standing here today. Jen possesses a rare ability to think ahead, anticipate needs, and solve logistical problems before they even arise. Her colleagues often note that long before a presenter walks into a workshop, Jen has every copy printed, every supply organized, and every detail perfected—allowing others to focus entirely on their mission because they trust her completely.
Beyond her core duties, Jen’s devotion to the broader Buckeye community shines through her active role on the University Staff Advisory Council and her eager volunteer work at student-focused initiatives like the ACEL Banquet. Her approachable nature, clear communication, and warm smile bring an undeniable culture of optimism to her workplace. She handles high-pressure environments with grace, humility, and a contagious, “we-can-figure-this-out-together” attitude.