Oral History Interview, Jennifer Christus (2528)

Abstract

In her August 2025 interview with Dadit Gunarwanto Hidayat, Jenny Christus describes her experiences in working in STEM and her role with WiscAMP at UW-Oshkosh. She is the director of the Universities of Wisconsin IDEAS Alliance and was a campus coordinator for WiscAMP. She studied chemistry and economics, grew up in rural Iowa, and from a young age became accustomed to working in male-dominated fields. Jenny Christus found WiscAMP particularly fulfilling because she was able to support first-generation students like herself, especially underrepresented students who faced additional barriers on top of the challenges that a rigorous STEM degree already presents. Finally, she discusses WiscAMP’s legacy and collaboration with inter-institutional organizations in continuing the program’s mission after its end. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the WiscAMP Legacy Oral History Project and the UW-Madison Archives and Records Management oral history collection.