Haslam College of Business - Jennifer Rittenhouse

Biography

Jennifer (Jen) Rittenhouse is a consummate leader, trusted advisor and influential faculty member . With over 25 years of corporate experience behind her, Jen brings the boardroom to the classroom, focusing on preparing our students for the “real world.” Teaching leadership, strategy, international business and human resources to undergraduate and graduate students, her approach to student development is rooted in real-world applications, bridging academic theory and corporate practice.

In addition to her role as a faculty member in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Rittenhouse is the director of the Greg and Lisa Smith Global Leadership Scholars (Smith GLS) program, she is at the helm of Haslam’s premier undergraduate honors program, focusing on promoting student excellence through leadership, community service and a global perspective. Jen’s commitment to developing future business professionals also extends to her leadership of Business Fellows, another signature honors experience tailored for high-achieving Haslam students. Under her guidance, this program delivers professional development through a blend of curricular and co-curricular activities.

Rittenhouse’s corporate leadership experience is extensive and impressive, including her tenure as AMETEK’s global vice president of human resources and a senior HR executive at PepsiCo. Her work at PepsiCo was particularly impactful, as she co-founded the PepsiCo Diversity Leadership Development program at UT, a legacy that continues to impact students today. She continues to contribute to the field with her active consulting work.

Rittenhouse holds a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s in human resources/labor relations, and a master’s in management. Her commitment to learning culminated in a Doctor of Business Administration degree, where her research explored the intersection of imposter phenomenon, authentic leadership, and emotional exhaustion.