Dr. Juengling is a Saint Stephen’s alumna and she graduated in 2006. Many of her school-age years were spent on the campus. As she looks back on her year here at SSES she recalls why she decided to come back. 

Dr. Juengling explained: “When I had to make a choice about my future, I thought of home. I am so happy that I chose to start a new chapter of my life in a familiar place, but with a different role.” 

When the COVID pandemic began in the spring of 2020, Dr. Juengling was working as an assistant at a healthcare company in Gainesville, Florida. She had received her doctorate in Anthropology from UF in 2018, and was excited to learn more about marketing, business and medical research.

However, the pandemic caused her to reconsider her path in life. She was beginning to miss the academic environment, and began to seriously reconsider what career would bring true joy to her and benefit her family. 

After a period of searching for a perfect job Dr. Juengling came across a life-changing idea. She decided that she would come back home and teach at Saint Stephen’s. 

Dr. Juengling expressed “When I faced a moment in which I had to make a choice about my future, I thought of home.” 

“I am so happy that I chose to start a new chapter of my life in a familiar place. But with a different role. Yes, the school has changed just a little, but it’s the same community, one that values inclusion, creativity, empathy and education.”