Biography
As Assistant for Academic Processes, Jennifer (Jen) Overton guides incoming and current faculty through the dossier preparation process for promotion and tenure. She also assists with nominations and submissions for student awards and fellowships.
Jen joined the staff at Rice University in June 1978 and transitioned to the Shepherd School of Music in March 2004, initially serving as assistant to former Dean Robert Yekovich before moving into her current role in March 2022. Her extensive career at Rice includes roles in the Chemistry Department, where she served as assistant to late Nobel Laureate Richard Smalley; the Rice Quantum Institute (now the Smalley-Curl Institute), where she helped with the inception of the Applied Physics Program, and the Biochemistry and Cell Biology Department, where she supported K-12 outreach programs. In 2012, Jen was honored to be named one of Rice’s Centennial Stars during the University’s 100th anniversary celebration.
In her spare time, Jen enjoys attending Shepherd School performances, volunteering with a canine rescue group in her neighborhood, and watching sports. She can be found in the Rice Stadium Press Box at all Rice home football games as she has been a member of the Statistics Crew for over 40 years. Jen earned a B.A. in English Linguistics from the University of Houston.