# Jennifer Chrisler

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**Jennifer Chrisler** is the 9th president of [Hampshire College](/source/Hampshire_College), a private [liberal arts institution](/source/Liberal_arts_college) in [Amherst, Massachusetts](/source/Amherst,_Massachusetts). From 2005 to 2013, she was executive director of the [Family Equality Council](/source/Family_Equality), a nonprofit [LGBTQ](/source/LGBTQ_people) advocacy and education organization based in the United States that was previously known as the Family Pride Coalition.[1]

## Early life and education

Chrisler was raised in [upstate](/source/Upstate_New_York) [New York](/source/New_York_(state)),[1] in what she described as "an all-white, pretty much all-Protestant, working-class community."[2] During high school, she was interested in becoming a wedding planner.[1] In 1988, she began attending [Smith College](/source/Smith_College), and during college, began to learn about [social justice](/source/Social_justice) issues and became involved in campus efforts to support diversity.[1] She came out as a lesbian to her mother while she was a student at Smith.[1] After completing her [bachelor's degree](/source/Bachelor's_degree), she continued at Smith to complete a [master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) and then moved to [Boston](/source/Boston) in 1993.[1]

## Career

In 1993, Chrisler began her political career as staff in the [Massachusetts state Senate](/source/Massachusetts_Senate), working for state senator [Cheryl Jacques](/source/Cheryl_Jacques) for three years, first as office manager and then staff director.[1][3] In 1996, she moved on to work for [American Science & Engineering](/source/American_Science_and_Engineering) as director of corporate communications and then worked as a director of operations for a private venture fund.[4][1] She then became the finance director for the unsuccessful 2001 campaign for [Massachusetts's 9th congressional district](/source/Massachusetts's_9th_congressional_district) by Jacques,[1] and afterwards became employed as a fundraiser for the [Freedom to Marry Coalition](/source/Freedom_to_Marry) of Massachusetts.[3]

Chrisler moved to [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington,_D.C.) after Jacques became the executive director of the [Human Rights Campaign](/source/Human_Rights_Campaign), and they married in Massachusetts in 2004, where they had maintained residency and [gay marriage](/source/Same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States) was recognized at the time.[5][3][1] Chrisler became the executive director of the Family Equality Council in 2005, when the organization was known as the Family Pride Coalition,[3][6] after spending three years at home with their twin children.[5]

As executive director of the Family Equality Council, Chrisler engaged in advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ parents raising children,[7] training for families on how to lobby for civil rights,[3] and lobbying for a variety of issues, including anti-discrimination legislation,[8][9] adoption rights,[10] hospital visitation rights,[11] and gender-neutral passport applications.[12]

In 2006, as executive director of the Family Equality Council, Chrisler was an organizer of efforts to help ensure participation of LGBTQ parents in the annual [White House Easter Egg Roll](/source/White_House_Easter_Egg_Roll), when tickets were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to the public willing and able to wait in long lines in advance of the event.[13][14][15] Chrisler told the *[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)*, "Showing up, participating fully in an American tradition, showing Americans that we do exist, that in our minds isn't a protest."[16] In 2007, she again participated with her family and other families with LGBTQ parents.[17] In 2009, families with LGBTQ parents were invited to the egg roll by the Obama administration, with tickets distributed directly to the Family Equality Council and other advocacy groups.[18]

During her tenure as executive director, the Family Equality Council also organized Family Week in [Provincetown, Massachusetts](/source/Provincetown,_Massachusetts).[19][20] In 2012, Chrisler invited [Family Research Council](/source/Family_Research_Council) president [Tony Perkins](/source/Tony_Perkins_(politician)) to meet her family at their home, telling [CNN](/source/CNN) her goal was to "open his heart a little bit" about gay parents and marriage,[21] but he declined.[22] In 2013, she announced her retirement from the Family Equality Council.[7]

From 2013 to 2018, she was the vice president for alumnae relations at [Smith College](/source/Smith_College), and then was vice chancellor for university advancement at the [University of Massachusetts Dartmouth](/source/University_of_Massachusetts_Dartmouth) before she became the chief advancement officer at [Hampshire College](/source/Hampshire_College) in 2019.[23][24] In 2024, she was named Vice President for Institutional Support at Hampshire College, a role where she led fundraising work along with many other efforts related to alumni and public relations.[25]

In June 2025, she was appointed interim president of Hampshire College.[26] In October 2025, she was appointed as the college's ninth president.[27][28][29] On April 14, 2026, the college's leaders announced that it would close after the autumn 2026 semester, citing unresolved financial and accreditation pressures, along with a steep decline in enrollment.[30][31][32]

## Personal life

Chrisler shares twin children, born in 2002, and a third child born in 2012, with her wife [Cheryl Jacques](/source/Cheryl_Jacques).[33][34][35]

## References

1. Gambone, Philip (2010). [*Travels in a Gay Nation: Portraits of LGBTQ Americans*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ZF9FhIt62Y4C&pg=PA52). [University of Wisconsin Press](/source/University_of_Wisconsin_Press). pp. 52–58. ISBN 9780299236830. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Gambone, Philip (August 2010). ["The people I met, mostly in cities"](https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA232889535). *[The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide](/source/The_Gay_%26_Lesbian_Review_Worldwide)*. **17** (4). Retrieved 13 April 2022. – via Gale.

1. ["Campaigning for Gay Rights With a Focus on Families"](https://www.politico.com/story/2007/04/campaigning-for-gay-rights-with-a-focus-on-families-003402). *[Politico](/source/Politico)*. April 2, 2007. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Acain, Angela (January 1, 2007). "At the Forefront of Family Pride and Social Justice: An interview with Jennifer Chrisler". *Gay Parent Magazine*. – via EBSCOhost.

1. Kiritsy, Laura (March 10, 2005). "Jennifer Chrisler to lead Family Pride Coalition". *[Bay Windows](/source/Bay_Windows)*. **23** (12). – via EBSCOhost.

1. Proulx, Marie-Jo (March 30, 2005). ["Moving Up & Out: Cheryl Jacques and Jennifer Chrisler"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220413181255/https://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=7780). *[Windy City Times](/source/Windy_City_Times)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=7780) on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Kirby, Brandon (February 11, 2013). ["NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt Honored at Family Equality Council L.A. Awards Dinner"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/nbc-chairman-bob-greenblatt-honored-420382/). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Crary, David (September 15, 2010). ["Who's a family? Study tracks shifting definition"](https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/sep/15/whos-family-study-tracks-shifting-definition/). *[Lawrence Journal-World](/source/Lawrence_Journal-World)*. [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). Retrieved 13 April 2022.

1. Johnson, Chris (March 5, 2010). ["Adoption anti-discrimination bill gets reboot"](https://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/03/05/adoption-anti-discrimination-bill-gets-reboot/). *[Washington Blade](/source/Washington_Blade)*. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Ludden, Jennifer (May 17, 2012). ["Same-Sex Parents Lobby Congress For Equal Rights"](https://www.npr.org/2012/05/17/152911090/same-sex-parents-lobby-congress-for-equal-rights). *[NPR](/source/NPR)*. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Johnson, Chris (April 16, 2010). ["Obama mandates hospital rights for LGBT couples"](https://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/04/16/obama-memo-mandates-hospital-rights-for-lgbt-couples/). *[Washington Blade](/source/Washington_Blade)*. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Malcolm, Andrew (January 7, 2011). ["Obama State Department deletes 'Mother, 'Father' from forms for more correct 'Parent One, 'Parent Two'"](https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/01/u-s-passport-mother-father.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. Retrieved 13 April 2022.

1. Crary, David (January 20, 2006). ["Egg roll is now a political football"](https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2006/01/21/egg-roll-is-now-a-political-football/31147560007/). *Ocala StarBanner*. [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Bumiller, Elisabeth (April 10, 2006). ["The Egg Roll (Again!) Becomes a Stage for Controversy"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/us/the-egg-roll-again-becomes-a-stage-for-controversy.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Johns, Merryn (April 2011). ["Jennifer Chrisler: the fight for lesbian and gay families is in good hands"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A252730879/AONE). *[Curve](/source/Curve_(magazine))*. **21** (3). Retrieved 13 April 2022. – via Gale.

1. ["White House Easter: Gay Friendly?"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-easter-gay-friendly/). *[CBS News](/source/CBS_News)*. [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). April 13, 2006. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. ["A Quiet Easter Egg Roll For Family Pride"](https://www.politico.com/story/2007/04/a-quiet-easter-egg-roll-for-family-pride-003445). *[Politico](/source/Politico)*. April 9, 2007. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Rivers, Daniel Winunwe (2013). [*Radical Relations: Lesbian Mothers, Gay Fathers, and Their Children in the United States Since World War II*](https://books.google.com/books?id=kekDAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA207). [University of North Carolina Press](/source/University_of_North_Carolina_Press). p. 207. ISBN 9781469607184. Retrieved 13 April 2022.

1. Dunlap, David W. (August 7, 2010). ["Gay Couples Cheer Ruling on Marriage"](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/us/08gays.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. [*Tourism Imaginaries at the Disciplinary Crossroads*](https://books.google.com/books?id=9mZ9DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT207). Taylor & Francis. 2016. ISBN 9781317009450. Retrieved 13 April 2022.

1. Ring, Trudy (May 28, 2012). ["WATCH: Activist Says Family Dinner Might Soften Antigay Leader's Attitude"](https://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2012/05/28/watch-gay-advocate-says-dinner-her-family-might-soften-antigay). *[The Advocate](/source/The_Advocate_(LGBT_magazine))*. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. ["Happy Mother's Day to More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms"](https://www.advocate.com/families/2018/5/11/happy-mothers-day-more-50-our-favorite-lgbt-moms#media-gallery-media-23). *[The Advocate](/source/The_Advocate_(LGBT_magazine))*. May 11, 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Christensen, Dusty (September 3, 2019). ["Hampshire College brings former Smith officer on as development chief"](https://www.gazettenet.com/Hampshire-College-names-Jennifer-Chrisler-as-new-chief-advancement-offcer-28121453). *Daily Hampshire Gazette*. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. ["Jennifer Chrisler to Lead Alumnae Relations at Smith College"](https://www.smith.edu/news/jennifer-chrisler-alumnae-relations). *Grécourt Gate*. [Smith College](/source/Smith_College). January 9, 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. Indy, Amherst (2025-08-08). ["Jennifer Chrisler Is the New Interim President of Hampshire College - Amherst Indy"](https://www.amherstindy.org/2025/08/08/jennifer-chrisler-is-the-new-interim-president-of-hampshire-college/). Retrieved 2026-01-28.

1. ["Jennifer Chrisler named interim president of Hampshire College"](https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampshire-county/jennifer-chrisler-named-interim-president-of-hampshire-college/). *WWLP*. 2025-06-10. [Archived](http://web.archive.org/web/20250611061940/https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampshire-county/jennifer-chrisler-named-interim-president-of-hampshire-college/) 2025-06-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-28.

1. ["Jennifer Chrisler Appointed as Hampshire College’s Ninth President"](https://amherststudent.com/article/jennifer-chrisler-appointed-as-hampshire-colleges-ninth-president/). *The Amherst Student*. 2025-11-05. Retrieved 2026-01-28.

1. Paleologopoulos, James (2025-10-25). ["With ‘interim’ dropped from title, Hampshire College President Jennifer Chrisler lays out vision, goals for western Mass. college"](https://www.wamc.org/news/2025-10-25/with-interim-dropped-from-title-hampshire-college-president-jennifer-chrisler-lays-out-vision-goals-for-western-mass-college). *WAMC*. Retrieved 2026-01-28.

1. ["Hampshire College announces Jennifer Chrisler as next president - The Boston Globe"](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/09/metro/jennifer-chrisler-hampshire-college-new-president/). *BostonGlobe.com*. Retrieved 2026-01-28.

1. Hauser, Brooke & Kohli, Diti (April 14, 2026). ["'Heartbreaking reality': Hampshire College announces transition to closure"](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/14/metro/hampshire-college-news/). *[Boston Globe](/source/Boston_Globe)*. Retrieved April 14, 2026.

1. ["Hampshire College to close permanently after fall 2026 semester"](https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampshire-county/hampshire-college-to-close-permanently-after-fall-2026-semester/). *[WWLP](/source/WWLP)*. April 14, 2026. Retrieved April 14, 2026.

1. Arsenault, Mark (April 14, 2026). ["Hampshire College Will Close Amid Student Enrollment Declines"](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/us/hampshire-college-closing-amherst-massachusetts-enrollment.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN 0362-4331](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved April 15, 2026.

1. ["It's a boy! Jennifer Chrisler and family welcome baby Matthew!"](https://www.familyequality.org/2012/07/12/its-a-boy-jennifer-chrisler-and-family-welcome-baby-matthew/). *familyequality.org*. July 12, 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2022.

1. Bugg, Sean (April 13, 2006). ["Family Ties: Family Pride Coalition's Jennifer Chrisler on the fight for gay and lesbian families"](http://www.metroweekly.com/feature/?ak=2072). *[Metro Weekly](/source/Metro_Weekly)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060822034012/http://www.metroweekly.com/feature/?ak=2072) August 22, 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 April 2022.

1. ["Twins for Jacques, partner"](https://www.thesunchronicle.com/twins-for-jacques-partner/article_6a9e310a-cec1-5709-a290-ca09527155f0.html). *[The Sun Chronicle](/source/The_Sun_Chronicle)*. April 11, 2002. Retrieved 13 April 2022.

## External links

- [Prepared Statement of Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director, Family Equality Council](https://books.google.com/books?id=H6Y4T4tv0okC&dq=%22Jennifer+Chrisler%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA79) ("Strengthening School Safety Through Prevention of Bullying" *Joint Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities and the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, Committee on Education and Labor*, U.S. House of Representatives, 111th Congress, First Session, Hearing Held in Washington, DC, July 8, 2009, pp. 79 – 80)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jennifer Chrisler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Chrisler) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Chrisler?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.