By: Kelsey Batten—
Indianapolis, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College has named Dr. Katie Jenner as vice president of K-12 initiatives and statewide partnerships, effective November 1, 2018. Jenner will proactively lead Ivy Tech’s efforts for the continued and expanded development of K-14 talent development pipeline partnerships between K-12, Career Centers and Ivy Tech Community College. She currently serves as the assistant superintendent for the Madison Consolidated Schools (MCS).
Jenner started in K-12 education as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher in Kentucky. Since 2009, Jenner has been with MCS in Madison, Ind., serving as an administrator at Madison Junior High School, Madison Consolidated High School, and in her current role as assistant superintendent.
She earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Kentucky and her Master of Business Administration from Indiana State University. She also holds a Master of Education with a Business and Marketing emphasis from University of Kentucky, in addition to a K-12 Principal Certification and K-12 Superintendent Certification. Her Bachelor of Arts, Business and Marketing is from Transylvania University.
Jenner has served on the Indiana State Workforce Innovation Council (SWIC), the Jefferson County Girls Inc. Board, the Jefferson County Community Corrections Advisory Board, and the Pathways Youth Shelter and Family Services Board. She is an emeritus member of the Indiana Department of Education eLearning Leadership Cadre.
Her commitment to improving education is demonstrated through multiple strategic, systematic initiatives during her time with MCS. Most notably, her work includes improvements to the K-14 talent development pipeline by aligning elementary through grade 14 curriculum to high-demand career pathways, allowing students the opportunity to graduate from high school with a postsecondary credential. She also partnered with industry leaders and fellow educators to expand work-based learning opportunities for students to include Cub Manufacturing, Cub Engineering and new apprenticeship opportunities in Industrial Maintenance and Healthcare.
“It has been a pleasure to serve in an Indiana K-12 school corporation to observe firsthand the student success stories as a result of this collaborative partnership work. Ivy Tech is a key partner for our district, as we have worked together to determine how to shift from offering numerous ‘random acts of dual credit’ to offering intentional, strategic ‘completion’ outcomes for students,” Jenner said. “When students leave K-12, they face many social and economic variables. This systematic, intentional approach in high school helps students earn a postsecondary credential prior to graduation, thus generating a new level of hope and direction for their future. I really look forward to joining the Ivy Tech team to travel the state and come alongside my K-12 peers as a partner, to further support the innovative work happening in school corporations and CTE Centers.”
“Dr. Jenner is uniquely qualified to lead Ivy Tech’s K-12 initiatives and partnerships augmenting the already incredible work of Dr. John Newby, assistant vice president at the College, who has grown Ivy Tech’s dual credit program to serve more than 60,000 high school students across more than 400 high schools saving Hoosier students, families, and taxpayers millions of dollars each year,” said Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann. “Dr. Jenner will work closely with our K-12 partners to support graduation pathways and create a more seamless K-14 system for students, employers, and families. Her commitment and experience building strong partnerships with schools and industry make her the ideal choice for Ivy Tech.”
While at MCS Jenner co-designed and implemented a partnership with Ivy Tech with the goal of increasing local attainment rates and raising students’ skill level. In a short time the efforts saw the number increase from one student to over 50 students annually.
Jenner will be serving as the statewide champion for the K-12 partnership with chancellors and campus teams. The position will also intentionally focus on K-12 pathways aligned to the needs of Indiana’s workforce and ensure academic quality of K-12 initiatives and success of the students. She will also lead efforts to elevate the benefits of dual enrollment programming options including expansion of opportunities for students, Early Colleges, and potential cost savings for school districts.
“Ivy Tech’s mission is to support Indiana’s workforce development needs,” Ellspermann continued. “The College has spent two years aligning their programs to employer needs. The addition of Dr. Jenner helps us support the work we share with secondary schools in preparing students for high-wage, high-demand careers aligned to Indiana’s economy.”
Additionally, Jenner will partner with the College’s marketing team to develop effective direct and continuing communications with high school students and their parents on the benefits of Ivy Tech’s programming.
“During my time in Madison, I enjoyed building partnerships focused around empowering students and supporting teachers. Building community partnerships with our school system helped us to propel and advance student opportunity,” Jenner continued. “I have also enjoyed collaborating and working with K-12 colleagues around the state to soundboard ideas and think about ‘what is possible’ to further advance student learning. I look forward to joining Ivy Tech’s team to support K-12 schools and CTE Centers across Indiana with the goal of understanding how Ivy Tech can become an even stronger strategic partner to advance student learning and opportunity.”
Some of the external organizations Jenner will work closely with include: Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS), Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP), Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA), Indiana Association of Career and Technical Education Directors (IACTED), Indiana Association of Career and Technical Educators (IACTE), Indiana School Counselor Association (ISCA), and the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA).
She is married to Joe Jenner, an attorney in Madison, Ind., where they will continue to live and raise their twin third-grade daughters.
