Jenny Gustafson works together with the residential staff at Vanderbilt to coordinate our residential expansion on campus. She also develops off-campus housing options for Next Steps students with various members of the Nashville community. For Jenny, expanding opportunities for Next Steps students-and all people with disabilities-to live as independently as possible is a principal value and crucial goal.

A native of Jackson, Tennessee, Jenny earned M.Div. and M.Ed. degrees from Vanderbilt University. She then worked as a behavior analyst in school, home, and community-based settings with children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavior disorders. Prior to returning to Vanderbilt to work, she was the Education Series Director for Autism TN and the Executive Director of a private residence for adults with disabilities for five years.