faculty

Expertise

Leadership, leader development, organizational development, talent management

Experience

Jenny Hartsock currently serves as a United States Army Reservist as a Lieutenant Colonel assigned to the United States Military Academy (USMA) Department of Admissions. With nearly 22 years of combined experience in the active-duty, National Guard, and Army Reserves, Jenny has served in a wide variety of leadership assignments as a US Army Engineer Officer and later, as a Public Affairs Officer. Jenny is a veteran of multiple tours to Iraq, where she served in a combat-engineer route clearance unit. For years, Jenny advised General Officers and other senior leaders in a variety of public affairs decisions that helped to inform domestic audiences. Jenny returned to US Army active duty in 2021-2022, where she served as Leadership Instructor at the United States Military Academy (USMA) where she taught moral leadership to West Point first-class students prior to their commissioning in the United States Army.

Upon departing active-duty Army service in 2009, Jenny served as a military liaison for a United States Senator from North Carolina. In this role, Jenny worked directly with major military commanders across the state, assisted with developing legislation, and facilitated engagements between local governments, regional groups, and constituents to improve military and civilian relations and across the state of North Carolina. Following her husband’s military career, Jenny transitioned to become a project coordinator for the national non-profit, Give an Hour, helping to create an integrated system of veteran care that connected veterans to local organizations in Richmond and Norfolk, VA. Jenny served as one of Thayer Leadership’s Instructional Design Specialist and as a member of Thayer Leadership’s faculty where she is an experienced teacher and lecturer delivering several Thayer experientials.

Scholarly Work/Publications/Awards

Jenny is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Commanding and General Staff College and the Public Affairs Qualification Course. She has been awarded several Military awards commensurate with her time and service including the Military Volunteer Service Medal, as well as the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

Education

MS, Adult and Continuing Education, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
BS, Psychology, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY

Personal

When Jenny is not keeping up with her three boys, Jenny enjoys exercising, hiking, reading and volunteering for her local church. Jenny currently resides in Lexington, VA with her husband, three boys, and her golden retriever.