Influential Woman · Education
Jennifer Gordon
MBA
Associate Director of Clinical Operations for the Graduate Nursing Program, South College of Tennessee
Pittsburgh, PA
Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Gordon is the Associate Director of Clinical Operations for the Graduate Nursing Program at South College of Tennessee. Based at the Pittsburgh campus, she manages a team supporting online graduate nursing students and ensures compliance for the competency-based education program leading to the Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Her background includes a bachelor's degree in education obtained after high school and an MBA in corporate compliance completed in 2011, which she credits for providing a strong foundation in her current role despite not having prior experience in nursing education. Since starting her position in December 2023, Gordon has grown the graduate nursing program from just over 400 students to more than 1,500, emphasizing the clinical experience and building a supportive team. She values integrity, honesty, and authenticity in both her professional and personal life, and attributes her success to her intrinsic motivation and drive to continually improve. Gordon advises young women entering the field to think big and plan solutions that address future challenges, while personally committing to lifelong learning as she begins her doctorate in education.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say just always wanting better, always striving. The intrinsic motivation. So just always looking for what the next step is, what's the next thing. Not being satisfied with just being average. Prior to my kids, I was married and when I was pregnant with my son, my husband got addicted to opiates. I didn't find out until my twin daughters were a month old. Trying to help him and realizing that you can't help an addict unless they want to help themselves. It's better for myself and my kids. Having to get away from that, and essentially start over with these 3 little humans, building it back and building it better.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't stop learning. Just keep going. I actually am just this week starting my doctorate program. Out of high school I went and got my bachelor's in education, then my MBA, had kids, and now it's time to go back for my doctorate in education. Just keep learning, keep growing.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Think big. You know, don't solve the problem for today. I mean you have to solve the problem for today, but look at the solution for the... It's gonna fix the problem 5 years from now.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity. Honesty. And just being genuinely you. Like I'm genuinely myself. What my team sees every day is genuinely me. It's the same person that they're gonna see when I get home to my kids.
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