In the Media
Dr. Jennifer Stephan has been featured in national podcasts, articles, and professional conferences on topics including college admissions strategy, engineering and computer science education, college success and academic recovery, and higher education leadership.
Across these appearances, she draws on decades of experience as a university engineering dean, former computer science professor, admissions insider, and college counselor to discuss student thriving, educational fit, STEM pathways, academic recovery, and the evolving challenges facing higher education. Underlying this work is the Deep-Fit™ Framework, developed by Jennifer Stephan to help students identify educational environments where they can thrive academically, personally, and over the long term.
Below are selected media appearances, interviews, articles, and professional presentations.
STEM, Engineering, Computer Science, and AI
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When a Student Says, “I Want to Study Engineering”: Five Questions Every IEC Should Ask
by Jennifer Stephan
IECA Insights Magazine, Spring 2026
In this featured article for IECA Insights Magazine, Jennifer Stephan explores how engineering advising requires understanding of student motivation, engineering readiness, institutional flexibility, and educational fit — and how different engineering environments shape student success.
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Engineering in College - What Applicants Need to Know with Dr. Jennifer Stephan
The College Talk Show with Chris Bell
May 1, 2026
Jennifer Stephan discusses how engineering programs differ in structure, flexibility, and student experience — and what families should understand about engineering readiness, creativity, and educational fit before building a college list.
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Choosing Majors in the Age of AI with Dr. Jennifer Stephan
College Admissions Podcast With Anna Ren and Mark Hofer
February 9, 2026
Jennifer Stephan discusses how students and families should think about artificial intelligence as an academic field and long-term career pathway. The conversation explores AI majors, computer science pathways, transferable skills, and how students can prepare thoughtfully for an evolving technological future.
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Picking Your Engineering Path
Podcast with Chuck Erickson
December 11, 2025
Jennifer Stephan examines the differences between engineering and engineering technology pathways, the role of ABET accreditation, and how students can identify engineering environments that support creativity, problem-solving, and long-term fit.
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Is an AI Major Right for Your Teen?
Podcast with Lisa Marker Robbins
June 24, 2025
In this episode, Jennifer Stephan discusses how students can evaluate artificial intelligence as an emerging academic pathway, including the rigor of AI-related coursework, the overlap with computer science and data science, and the importance of developing adaptable, future-proof skills in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
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Artificial Intelligence As An Undergraduate Major: What You Need To Know
Tests and the Rest podcast with Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley
January 14, 2025
Jennifer Stephan explores artificial intelligence as an emerging undergraduate major, including how AI differs from computer science, the range of technical and interdisciplinary pathways into the field, and the questions students should consider when evaluating AI-related programs and careers.
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Navigating The Competitive Landscape Of Computer Science And Engineering Admissions
Tests and the Rest podcast with Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley
January 23, 2024
In this episode of Tests and the Rest, Jennifer Stephan examines the increasingly competitive landscape of computer science and engineering admissions, including how students can demonstrate preparation, identify strong-fit programs, and build balanced college lists within highly selective STEM fields.
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Determine Whether a STEM Major Is the Right Choice
By Shane LaGesse
August 1, 2023
In this U.S. News & World Report article, Jennifer Stephan discusses how students can evaluate whether STEM pathways align with their interests, strengths, and long-term goals. The piece explores engineering readiness, institutional flexibility, and the importance of educational fit.
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How to Build the Right College List for Engineering Majors
Podcast with Lisa Marker Robbins
July 18, 2023
Exploration of how students and families can build thoughtful college lists for engineering pathways, including institutional flexibility, major exploration, extracurricular engagement, and the importance of aligning academic environments with student interests, strengths, and long-term goals.
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Navigating Computer Science Admissions
Podcast with Lisa Marker Robbins
February 21, 2023
Jennifer Stephan examines the increasingly competitive landscape of computer science admissions, including how students can demonstrate authentic interest, creative problem-solving, and strong preparation while identifying computer science programs that align with their strengths, goals, and learning styles.
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New summer program in Pavia, Italy bridges humanities, sciences
By Elie Levine
November 26, 2019
This Tufts Daily article highlights a study abroad program Jennifer Stephan helped develop to expand global opportunities for engineering and computer science students while bridging technical education with language, culture, and the humanities. The piece reflects her broader belief that interdisciplinary and global experiences can be transformative parts of a thriving college education.
College Admissions and Educational Fit
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Alum Jennifer Stephan Shares 3 Things Most Families Get Wrong About College Fit
Carnegie Mellon Alum Community Piece
February 5, 2026
Jennifer Stephan shares the core ideas behind the Deep-Fit™ Framework, including why educational fit extends far beyond rankings, prestige, or surface-level characteristics. The piece explores how mentorship, engagement, access to opportunities, and student development shape long-term college success and thriving.
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Find Your Deep-Fit College: Thrive in College & Beyond
Podcast with Dave The Scholarship Coach
May 18, 2024
Conversation about the Deep-Fit™ approach to college admissions and why long-term student thriving depends on educational environments that support engagement, mentorship, growth, and meaningful college experiences.
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IEC Profile: Jennifer Stephan
Tests and the Rest podcast with Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley
March 29, 2024
Professional profile highlighting Jennifer Stephan’s background as an engineer, professor, academic dean, admissions insider, and college counselor, along with her work supporting STEM, engineering, transfer, and undecided students through the college admissions process.
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The College Search for Undecided Students
by Travis Minor
Based on Interview with Jennifer Stephan
June 13, 2023
Jennifer Stephan discusses how undecided students can thoughtfully explore academic interests while identifying colleges that offer strong advising, curricular flexibility, interdisciplinary opportunities, and support for intellectual exploration and growth.
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The College Search for Undecided Students
Interview with Travis Minor
May 17, 2023
Conversation about how students who are undecided about majors or career paths can approach the college search process with curiosity, exploration, and attention to academic flexibility, advising, and educational fit.
College Success, Student Support, Academic Recovery, and Higher Education Leadership
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Taking a Medical Leave of Absence From College
Tests and the Rest podcast with Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley
May 5, 2026
Jennifer Stephan and Karen Flood discuss how colleges approach medical leaves of absence, including when a leave may support long-term student wellbeing, how return processes work, and why academic recovery and student thriving often require thoughtful institutional and personal support.
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Jennifer Stephan Has Spent Decades in Higher Education Guiding Others to the Right Path
Carnegie Mellon Accomplished Alumna Profile
February 5, 2026
Profile of Jennifer Stephan’s career across higher education, engineering education, academic advising, and college counseling, including her development of the Deep-Fit™ Framework and her broader philosophy of student thriving, agency, and long-term success.
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The Changing Work of College Advising
Tufts School of Engineering Article
July 23, 2025
Jennifer Stephan joins national higher education leaders to discuss the evolving role of academic advising, including faculty partnerships, student agency, experiential learning, mental health, and the importance of relationship-centered support in an era increasingly shaped by technology and AI.
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The Evolving Work of College Advising
The Chronicle of Higher Education Virtual Forum
July 16, 2025
National forum exploring how academic advising is adapting to changing student needs, technological transformation, and growing institutional pressures — with Jennifer Stephan discussing advising as a core educational relationship that supports critical thinking, student agency, and long-term development.
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Tufts University - Dr. Jennifer Stephan - Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies in the School of Engineering
Podcast with John Durante, Ed.D.
November 13, 2024
Jennifer Stephan shares insights about the Tufts undergraduate experience, including academic flexibility, interdisciplinary engineering education, student support, and the types of mentoring and campus engagement that contribute to long-term student success.
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A Focus on Mental Health on Campus
by Kim Thurler
October 10, 2019
This Tufts Now article highlights Jennifer Stephan’s leadership on the university’s Mental Health Task Force, including work to strengthen academic policies, support struggling students earlier, and create more integrated approaches to student wellbeing, academic support, and college success.
Selected Presentations and Professional Speaking
Jennifer Stephan has presented nationally on topics including artificial intelligence in higher education, engineering and computer science admissions, student advising and support systems, and the evolving challenges facing students and colleges.
"Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an Undergraduate Major", Independent Educational Consultants Association Spring Conference, Detroit, MI, May 7, 2025.
"Is Artificial Intelligence Changing College Counseling?", Featured College Session, Independent Educational Consultants Association Spring Conference, Seattle, WA, May 10, 2023.
"Navigating the Computer Science Admissions Landscape", Independent Educational Consultants Association Fall Conference, San Diego, CA, November 9, 2022.
“Policies and Practices that Decrease Student Stress and Anxiety”, Center for Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Symposium, Tufts University, December 10, 2019.
“Technology and Academia” panel discussion at the Women and Technology Summit, Technology Education and Networking Conference for College Women at Harvard University, February 16, 2008.
“The Role of Hardware Courses in the CS Curriculum at Small Colleges” panel discussion at the Northeast Regional Conference of the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, May 2002.
To explore these topics further, learn more about the Deep-Fit™ Framework and Lantern’s approach to College Admissions Counseling, College Success Coaching, and College Crisis Support.
You can also explore our complete guide to engineering college admissions, complete guide to computer science college admissions, and our complete college admissions timeline guide.