For Jessica Headen, a 2015 biology alumna, a simple poster outside the CSU Pueblo biology office opened a world of possibilities. “It showcased the countless career paths available with a biology degree,” she recalls. That moment of inspiration has stayed with her ever since, and now she shares the same message with her two sons to spark their imagination about the future.
Jessica’s journey has not followed a straight path, which is exactly what makes it remarkable. In 2007, she stepped away from her undergraduate studies to begin a civil service career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She returned to CSU Pueblo in 2014 and completed her degree in 2015. Since then, she has built a career defined by public service, environmental stewardship, and a passion for science.
Over the years, Jessica has served in several roles with the USDA, beginning as a Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist. She later worked as a Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance Officer and eventually became a National Policy Manager based in Maryland. Her work has taken her across the western United States and even abroad, including her time as Environmental Program Manager for the U.S. Air Force at Thule Air Base in Greenland. There, she led a major remediation project that safely and cost-effectively disposed of thousands of cubic meters of contaminated soil, saving taxpayer dollars while protecting the environment.
Today, Jessica works as a Project Manager with the Bureau of Land Management’s Energy and Infrastructure Team in Southern Nevada. She coordinates renewable energy projects and oversees their environmental analysis, continuing her commitment to a more sustainable future.
Her advice for students and recent graduates is to embrace the unexpected. Although her original plan was to attend graduate school immediately after earning her degree, an opportunity came up that changed everything. That unexpected turn led to unforgettable experiences, incredible connections, and eventually a master’s degree in public policy, all while continuing to work in public service.
Although she is now based in Nevada, Jessica stays connected to her alma mater through the CSU Pueblo Alumni Association and always looks forward to participating in Give Day. She sees it as a meaningful way to give back and remain part of a community that helped shape her journey.
