Jennifer Altavilla

Lecturer and Program Director, TESOL and Bilingual Education Licensure

I became a Terrier F1rsts Advocate because I want to support all my students to thrive in both school and life. As a first-generation graduate student, I know how challenging it is to navigate the “hidden curriculum” of higher education while trying manage your personal and professional priorities. I want to connect students to campus resources, answer all the questions that they are afraid to ask, and help them brainstorm strategies to overcome inevitable obstacles. I also want to celebrate students’ successes, milestones, and victories. Grad school and college are long and hard, but they can (and should) be joyful!

  • First-Generation Graduate
  • Gender Identity and Pronouns: Female, she/her/hers
  • Race, Ethnicity, and/or Nationality: White
  • Home: New Haven, CT
  • Languages Spoken: English and Spanish
  • Business/Industry of Interest: Social Sciences
  • Personal Facts/ Hobbies/ Interests: I went to school for sports journalism (let’s go Mets!), but ended up becoming an elementary and middle-school teacher. I taught for six years in Boston public and charter schools before going to get my PhD. When I’m not working, I like to read mystery novels, bake cookies and breakfast treats, and explore green spaces in my neighborhood. My partner and I are huge foodies and try a new brunch spot almost every weekend. I also sing in the Jameson Singers, a choir in Cambridge.
  • BU ProfileĀ 
  • LinkedIn