As the University's 1999 valedictorian, Jennifer Ehren had her pick of jobs. She had received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and was being actively recruited by many corporations. Instead of accepting one of those lucrative offers, she applied to the University's Alliance for Catholic Education program (ACE). A two-year service initiative, ACE gives college graduates the opportunity to work as full-time teachers in underserved Catholic schools throughout the southern United States while also earning a master's degree. Jennifer was assigned to Saint John High School in Gulfport, Miss, where she taught AP Chemistry, advanced mathematics, physics, calculus, general chemistry, algebra, and physical science. After completing the program, Jennifer joined Merck Pharmaceutical's Vaccination and Technology Department in Lansdale, Penn.