Dr. Jennifer Newquist receiving the Lane Powell Mentorship Award

Dr. Jennifer Newquist, assistant professor in Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Human Sciences, received the Lane Powell Mentorship Award at the Texas Council on Family Relations annual conference on March 5 in Houston. Newquist, left, was nominated by Jaycie Case, a graduate student from Aledo in SFA’s human development and family studies program in the James I. Perkins College of Education. Photo courtesy of Rachel Jumper


NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Dr. Jennifer Newquist, assistant professor in Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Human Sciences, received the Lane Powell Mentorship Award at the Texas Council on Family Relations annual conference on March 5 in Houston.

Newquist was nominated by Jaycie Case, a graduate student from Aledo in SFA’s human development and family studies program in the James I. Perkins College of Education.

“She has poured so much of her time and energy into mentoring me and so many others outside SFA, as well,” Case said of Newquist. “You can be an excellent professional in this field, but being dedicated to students in their professional and personal endeavors makes that individual so much more special.”

Established in 2016, the Lane Powell Mentorship Award recognizes professionals who have made a significant contribution in family life education and practice, marriage and family therapy, and/or family-related research through mentoring students and new professionals.

Named for Lane Powell, an outstanding teacher, scholar and mentor, the award is presented at TXCFR’s annual conference in the years a worthy recipient is selected.  

“The in-depth nomination process allows you to prove exactly why your nominee deserves the award,” Case said.

Newquist is only the second person to be honored with this award since its inception.

“One of my greatest joys is being able to provide professional development and mentoring to future professionals,” Newquist said. “I am truly honored to be nominated by one of my students, and receiving this award further motivates me to continue providing mentorship not only to the students here at SFA but family studies students throughout the U.S.”

Newquist is serving as the advisor for TXCFR’s Student/New Professional Program this year. This program provides support, resources and opportunities for students and new professionals whose careers focus on family well-being in Texas.

The SNPP meeting Newquist planned at TXCFR’s annual conference helped students and new professionals learn about the soft skills they need to be successful in the workplace.

To learn more about SFA’s human development and family studies program, email newquistjl@sfasu.edu.