Jenn Aglio's community of friends and family members turned out on a Sunday to plant a perennial garden in her memory.

Beloved Executive Assistant, Advocate, and Friend Remembered for Her Wit, Kindness, and Community Spirit

Jennifer "Jenn" Marie Aglio, 43, executive assistant to the dean, died March 22, 2024, at her home in Denton, Texas, after more than a two-year battle with uterine cancer.

A few close friends and family members were fortunate to spend time with Jenn during her final days in hospice care. "She was very clear about how much her CVAD community meant to her," shared Dean Karen Hutzel. Jenn was a vital part of that community—someone who brought people together to talk, laugh, and share in life’s ups and downs. We miss her sense of humor, sharp wit, and gentle spirit.

Jenn's partner Megan Morrissey, UNT associate professor of communications studies, and their daughter Quinn Morrissey Aglio have been, by extension, also important members of our CVAD community and will continue to be. As a special memorial to Jenn, Eric Ligon, senior associate dean of CVAD Administrative Affairs, organized a flower-planting gathering on March 24 in the Art Building Courtyard. More than 70 members of Jenn's community planted perennial flowers in her memory.

Before joining UNT in 2013, Jenn was an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies at the UNT College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. She said getting up in front of a classroom was not for her. She came to CVAD in July 2019 as the senior administrative coordinator after four years as the senior administrative assistant for the Women's and Gender Studies program.

Jenn earned her bachelor’s degree in English in 2003 at Elon University, Elon, North Carolina, and her master’s degree in communication studies in 2006 from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina. A talented poet and creative writer, she earned another degree in 2010, a master of fine arts in writing and poetics from Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado. 

She advocated for social justice issues and always cheered on those she loved. Her family and friends will remember her clever wit, love of music, and unique ability to make others feel welcome and included. Jenn also often talked about her four-legged family with affection.

According to Jenn's wishes, friends and family gathered to celebrate her life at a local restaurant to remember her and model joy and love for her daughter.