Jennifer Saylor

To Jennifer Saylor, mentoring and leadership are important aspects of moving the nursing profession forward. In her work as a tenure-track professor at the University of Delaware, where she studies college students with chronic conditions, she is responsible for leading and mentoring young nurses and helping them stay connected to the profession. Through attending events and her service as president of Beta Xi Chapter, Jennifer has found a network of support and a wealth of professional development and leadership opportunities in her STTI involvement that she can take back to her chapter and university.

The first STTI event Jennifer attended was Leadership Connection 2014 as president-elect of Beta Xi Chapter, where she was filled with excitement for the nursing profession and the organization. Jennifer says, “I remember feeling as though I finally found a group of individuals who were committed and active in fulfilling the mission of STTI not only at their chapter level, but also in their personal and professional lives.”

The 43^rd Biennial Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, was also an inspiring event Jennifer attended, where she was particularly motivated by the STTI Presidential Call to Action. “Listening to [STTI President] Cathy Catrambone speak about a powerful nine-letter word — “influence” — helped me realize how influential I could be as a leader of the Beta Xi Chapter and make a difference in the community with the wonderful active members of my chapter and STTI,” she says.

Most recently, Jennifer was awarded the Edith Anderson Leadership Education Grant to attend Leadership Connection 2016, where she presented two sessions about member engagement and philanthropy. The Edith Anderson Leadership Education Grant, which is funded by the Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing, assists active STTI members with costs associated with registration and travel to STTI events.

“The generosity of many members provided me an opportunity to develop more leadership skills to implement in my profession, chapter, and the international organization,” Jennifer says about receiving the Edith Anderson Leadership Education Grant. “I will be sure to give back to the Foundation and provide education, leadership, and mentoring, and support my chapter, profession, and STTI.”