Holcomb Appoints First Secretary of Education

Katie Jenner was appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb as Indiana's first Secretary of Education (photo courtesy of Governor Holcomb's office)

Governor Eric Holcomb has appointed Dr. Katie Jenner as Indiana’s first-ever secretary of education. The appointment replaces the superintendent of public instruction role held by Dr. Jennifer McCormick, which was an elected position.

Jenner, who currently serves as Holcomb’s senior education advisor, will take on the role of Indiana’s top education official on January 11.

“Dr. Katie Jenner has focused her entire career on investing in students, teachers and staff, and she will continue to build the relationships needed to move our state forward in constructive ways,” said Holcomb. “As Indiana’s Secretary of Education, Dr. Jenner’s certification, work at nearly every level of education and her remarkable depth of experience will lead our state into this exciting next chapter.”

Jenner joined Ivy Tech Community College as vice president of K-12 initiatives and statewide partnerships in 2018. She previously served as school administrator and district administrator for Madison Consolidated Schools in southeast Indiana.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to further serve the people of Indiana,” Jenner said. “My priorities are to ensure high quality education for all students and families, and to provide solution-focused support for our teachers and educational leaders.”

Holcomb’s office says Jenner will focus on support for schools through and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, providing students with personalized pathways for lifelong success and attracting talented Hoosiers to the teaching profession.

Indiana Chamber Vice President of Education and Workforce Development Jason Bearce says the chamber has long supported making the role an appointed position so policy priorities could be better aligned. That enhanced level of cooperation and collaboration will make the state’s education direction clear and allow for more impactful efforts on behalf of Indiana students.