“Michigan has the best of both worlds with amazing academics and outstanding athletics.” And Jenna Mulligan has embraced every bit of it. Fulfilling her dream of joining a Division I college, she has since been showered with accolades. As a star gymnast for Michigan, she has reached incredible heights—winning Big Ten Conference titles in 2022 and 2023 and contributing to two Big Ten Regular Season Championships (2022, 2023).

The senior gymnast has played a key role in her team’s success, securing six event titles—four on vault and two on beam. But her achievements don’t stop there. Just like her college, she has excelled in both athletics and academics. A two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2023, 2024), Jenna is currently pursuing her master’s in management. Her academic dedication has earned her Academic All-Big Ten honors three years in a row (2022–2024). Balancing the demands of both her studies and her passion for gymnastics is no easy feat, but Jenna continues to prove she’s more than capable. And her parents must be incredibly proud—especially her father.

Who is Jenna Mulligan’s father?

Jenna’s father, Charles Mulligan, dedicated 33 years of service to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office before retiring in 2021. Over the years, he took on various roles—serving as a patrol officer, a diver in the marine unit, a motorcycle cop in the traffic division, and even a SWAT team member. Before his retirement, he worked as an Information Officer for the department.

Leaving behind his long-standing career wasn’t a challenge for Charles; in fact, it was something he looked forward to. He wanted to step away from public service and spend more time with his wife and daughter. In an interview with Florida Newsline in April 2021, he proudly spoke about Jenna’s achievements, saying:

“We have been able to go to many of the meets. The team (Michigan) is now ranked number two in the nation, and we are headed to the national championship in late April.”

Being a full-time supporter of Jenna’s gymnastics career has been a fulfilling transition, especially given how early Charles started his own career.

Before joining law enforcement, Charles ran a car detailing business right after high school. However, feeling unfulfilled, he sought out a career with a greater sense of purpose. That search led him to the St. Augustine Police Department, where he started as a traffic cop at just 20 years old. It was in that role that he finally found what he had been looking for:

“I had the freedom of being able to create work for myself; I was not just writing tickets, but was able to help people.”

Now, having stepped away from public service, Charles has no regrets. His focus is on his family, and what better way to spend retirement than cheering on his daughter?

Who is Jenna’s mother?

Jenna’s mother, Terri Arnold, is the reason Jenna became a gymnast in the first place. When Jenna was just two years old, her boundless energy convinced Terri to enroll her in gymnastics. That decision set Jenna on the path to becoming a standout athlete, and she hasn’t looked back since. Terri has been involved in her family business, Fruit Cove Nursery, based in Jacksonville, Florida. While little is known about her current profession, one thing that is well-documented is her love story with Charles.

The two first met in the 1980s and dated for a summer before going their separate ways due to life’s commitments. But fate had other plans. A decade later, they reconnected through mutual friends, and this time, their relationship stood the test of time. Together, Charles and Terri built a life filled with love, dedication, and support. Their commitment to family has played a crucial role in shaping Jenna’s journey.

What is Jenna Mulligan’s Parents’ nationality?

There are no official records detailing Jenna’s parents’ nationality. However, Florida Newsline provides insight into Charles Mulligan’s early life. He grew up in St. Augustine, Florida, but during the mid-1970s, his father’s work took their family to Iran. Charles was there during the Iranian Revolution and was evacuated in 1979, just a month before the American hostage crisis began. He recalled attending an American school while also immersing himself in the local culture.

As for Terri, limited information is available about her heritage. However, her parents were Jack Charles Arnold Jr. and Betty Arnold. Jenna’s surname, Mulligan, suggests Irish ancestry, while Arnold has English or Germanic origins. Without concrete evidence, though, any assumptions about her ethnicity remain speculative.