Dr. Don Stenta currently serves as the Associate Director of the John Glenn Institute for Public Service & Public Policy at The Ohio State University. The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy is a nonpartisan, interdisciplinary unit of The Ohio State University, reporting directly to the Provost’s Office. The Institute has three related missions: to promote civic engagement among citizens of all ages, to enhance the quality of public service, and to create and disseminate the highest quality policy research. At the Institute, Don is responsible for the supervision of student programs and Institute events; facilities, information technology, budgeting, human resources, and long-term and strategic planning; along with leadership and service-learning initiatives.

Prior to his work at the John Glenn Institute, Don worked for over 10 years in various student affairs capacities, including serving as the Associate Director of the Ohio Union. Don coordinated leadership and community service programs for Student Affairs, and was responsible for marketing, development, and staff training at the Ohio Union.

Don completed a PhD in Educational Policy and Leadership from Ohio State in August 2001. His dissertation research focused on the intersection of leadership and community service concepts for a group of students in a living learning scholars program at Ohio State. Don received his Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont and his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Binghamton University.

His research interests include leadership issues, service-learning, organizational development, and diversity in workplace organizations. He has consulted with local schools about change management and recently completed a major diversity education initiative with a law firm in Columbus. Don was a long-time volunteer at Project Open Hand Columbus and served on its Board of Trustees. He serves as advisor to Sigma Phi Epsilon, a social fraternity at Ohio State that has reinvented the concept of “fraternity” at Ohio State. In 2003, Don was recognized for his community leadership by Business First as a “Top 40 Under 40” leader in central Ohio. Don recently received a Distinguished Staff Award for his service to Ohio State.