Jennifer F. Cerasa

Jen Cerasa joined the University of Illinois Foundation in July 2022. As vice president and general counsel, Jen serves as the head of the UIF’s Office of the General Counsel and is the legal counsel to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. She oversees the UIF legal team and all legal matters related to the Foundation.

She most recently served as legal counsel to the University of Central Florida Foundation and senior associate general counsel for the university. In addition to her role as head of the foundation’s legal department, Jen oversaw the gift drafting department and various operational responsibilities, such as policies and procedures. In addition, she provided comprehensive legal support to the university’s real estate efforts. Prior to UCF, Jen served as an attorney to a variety of local government jurisdictions. She began her legal career in private practice at the law firm of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, where she represented Florida municipalities and private developers in the acquisition, disposition, and development of large-scale projects.

A first-generation college graduate, Jen graduated magna cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina. She received her Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law and was designated a member of the Order of the Coif.

Jen and her husband Mike reside in Champaign with their three children.