Jenna Reid Stewart ’09 Landacre

One Asbury University degree wasn’t enough for Jenna Reid Stewart ’09 Landacre. After completing her undergraduate degree in Health & Physical Education (P-12), she went on to complete her Master of Arts, and, recently, her Principal Licensure through Asbury’s online programs.

Her reasoning? Asbury’s School of Education is simply the best. At every level, Landacre found the support and the inspiration she needed. Now, equipped with everything she needs to be a principal, she’s eager to model the servant leadership she experienced as an Asbury student. 

When Landacre first came to Asbury — transferring from a big state school — she wasn’t sure she would graduate. With a dropping GPA and poor study skills, she might have fallen through the cracks at a bigger university. Through regular mentorship and study coaching, though, she quickly found her feet at Asbury.

“Dr. Verna Lowe met with me every two weeks,” Landacre said. “She helped me study, talked to me about why I wanted to be a teacher, and got me right back on track. She really got to know me. She had really high standards, but cared about me a lot, and I never walked out without high confidence.”

Asbury’s “people first” approach carried through to Landacre’s graduate work, as well. In Asbury’s online programs, she found the perfect synthesis of flexibility and personal connection. When she and her husband, Joshua Landacre ’07, welcomed their new baby, Brent, Asbury put their family first.

“I had Brent in the middle of my Principal Licensure. It was pretty stressful, but they gave me the final ahead of time,” Landacre said. “When you’re 30 years old, you have a work life and a family life… and Asbury gets that.”

Currently, Landacre teaches Health and PE at Harrison County High School, where she also serves on the Site Based Decision Making Council and is co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Department. She’s eager to serve as a principal, and to model the servant leadership she’s learned from so many others. One of the most influential leaders in Landacre’s life is her mom, Lydia Stewart, who worked double shifts to support her education.

“Servant leadership goes a long way,” Landacre said. “With my staff, I want to create an environment where kids walk in and someone knows their name and welcomes them. I want kids to know that no matter what life experience they come from, they can still meet high expectations.”