Jana Spitzer

Dr. Jana Spitzer serves as a training specialist at the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership, bringing over 14 years of experience in higher education. Before joining NCEL, Jana held key administrative roles, including senior associate director and director at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she led and advocated for academic advising and student success initiatives. 

She has taught numerous introductory sociology courses and first-year seminars at UT, Knoxville and has presented at various regional and national conferences. Prior to her career in academia, Jana spent four years working in the banking sector. 

She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology (with an honors minor in criminal justice) from East Tennessee State University and holds both a master's degree in sociology and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 

Outside of her professional life, Jana enjoys outdoor walks, has been an active member of an adult-league soccer team for over 20 years and cherishes time spent with her husband and daughter.