Student Spotlight: Jack Steffen 26Ox
Meet Oxford College’s 2025–26 Student Government Association President, Jack Steffen, 26Ox.
Jack was named a Judy Greer Scholar for the 2025-26 academic year, an honor awarded annually to two rising sophomores who exemplify the spirit and mission of Oxford College. Known for his energy, warmth, and dedication to serving others, Jack has helped shape a student community rooted in connection, compassion, and big ideas. From advancing campus initiatives to contributing to global sustainable development, he approaches leadership as a shared journey—one fueled by teamwork, faith, and a deep love for Oxford.
When Steffen arrived at Oxford College, he was drawn to the idea that every student could make an immediate impact.
"Oxford is a place where a student’s single idea can spread across the entire campus. When Oxford students set their minds to something, the answer is almost never ‘no."
Now serving as SGA President, Steffen leads with that same spirit of inclusivity and determination. “What excites me most this year is the team I get to work with,” he says. “SGA has become such a tight-knit group that we even call our government-wide picture day ‘family photos.’ Knowing I can trust this team to go above and beyond every single time is just the best feeling.”
That sense of community has shaped Steffen's approach to leadership. During his first year, he served on committees that addressed student concerns and campus life, gaining firsthand insight into what matters most to his peers. “Spending a year hearing directly from the student body prepared me to actually serve them and make things happen,” he reflects.
One of his proudest accomplishments is an initiative to support students facing food insecurity. Under his leadership, SGA introduced free meal vouchers for students who couldn’t afford meals and expanded late-night dining options for those with packed schedules. “We wanted to make sure no Oxford student ever goes hungry,” Steffen says.
Steffen also authored the Compassion ACT, a campus-wide initiative aligning Oxford leadership and student engagement with all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program is projected to generate thousands of hours of service and more than $20,000 in local economic development, strengthening ties between Oxford students and the surrounding community.
Outside of Oxford, Steffen serves as a Messenger of Peace Ambassador with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the World Organization of the Scout Movement, where he leads a team of volunteers that has contributed over $300,000 in economic development for under-resourced communities in South Florida. His work advances and contributes to global goals, such as Good Health and Well-being, Reduced Inequalities, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
“Whether I’m working with student government, local partners, or the United Nations, collaboration always begins with people who care about the same communities,” Steffen says. That passion for service took root long before college—through years in the Boy Scouts of America, where he led a troop of 60 Scouts and earned the Scouting Troop Excellence Award twice, and through his volunteer work with Tomorrow’s Rainbow, helping rebuild a mental health sanctuary and raise over $3,000 to support children affected by trauma.
His leadership and service have been recognized nationally and across campus. Steffen earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor for civilian youth presented by the United States Congress, and the Messenger of Peace Ambassador Award, the top distinction in the UN-affiliated Scouting program. He is also a Tarbutton Leadership Fellow, receiving funding for innovative research and community-based leadership projects at Oxford.
For Steffen, Oxford’s close-knit environment is what makes its student body so unique.
“Oxford students are unusually invested in each other. We’re all here on this five-minute-wide campus, and it feels like living in a mansion with 300 of your best friends. That family dynamic is what makes leading here so special."
Though his time at Oxford is brief, Steffen embraces the accelerated pace. “Even if I’m just helping lay the groundwork for the Oxford of tomorrow, it’s an honor to be part of the Oxford of today,” he says. Looking ahead, he hopes his presidency leaves more than policies or projects. “I’m not focused on personal legacy,” he explains.“My faith in Jesus Christ gives me strength, and I hope future students know it took a village—and that I was always their biggest supporter.”
When he’s not in meetings or leading initiatives, Steffen recharges over meals with friends—an almost daily “Family Dinner” tradition that started during orientation week. “It’s our chance to gather, share stories, and support each other,” he says. And sometimes, his favorite Oxford moments are the simplest ones—like watching chipmunks and squirrels play outside his dorm window before his morning classes. “It reminds me how magical this place really is,” he says with a laugh. “Oxford truly is the Magic Kingdom of colleges.”
