The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is set to vote for its new leader on Aug. 22, and its top pick is Indiana’s Secretary of Education, Katie Jenner.
If the vote is approved, Jenner would keep her position as the state-appointed official overseeing Indiana’s entire K-12 education system, while simultaneously heading up the higher education commission.
In a news release from the higher education commission, Gov. Mike Braun said the move aligns with his “new vertical structure across state government to streamline operations, increase accountability and transparency, and improve customer service.”
He also said having all education under one leader is the "logical next step" that will keep students "top of mind every step of their educational journey."
The former higher education commissioner, Chris Lowery, announced in July that he would be stepping down from the role and his official departure will take effect on Oct. 10.
He was appointed to the position in 2022 and said during his announcement to step down that a recent “health scare” is what prompted his decision, according to Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Lowery will work with Jenner and other commission members to transition her into the role over the next few weeks.
The 14-member board for the commission is all appointed by the governor.
Jenner was appointed Indiana’s first secretary of education in 2021, after the General Assembly passed a law to change the position from being an elected one to an appointed one.
More Higher Ed news: Indiana public colleges cut or merge a fifth of degree programs, more could come
She holds a doctorate degree in education from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from Indiana State University. She has also served as Governor Eric Holcomb’s Senior Education Advisor, vice president of K-12 initiatives and statewide partnerships for Ivy Tech Community College and was a teacher in Madison Consolidated Schools.
The commission said that some of Jenner’s key areas of focus moving forward will be:
Making higher education more affordable and accessible
Increasing educational attainment for all Hoosiers
Helping more students earn college credits or credentials of value before graduating
Support the implementation of the state’s new high school diploma requirements.
Ensuring higher education preparation programs are preparing future teachers with evidence-based instructional tools in reading and math.
Streamlining higher education degree programs to align with student and industry demand and maximize student outcomes.
Jenner’s work on streamlining degrees would follow the move of public state colleges and universities already cutting roughly 400 degree programs ahead of a new state law that is meant to “consolidate” under-enrolled degree programs.
Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Braun chooses Katie Jenner to lead Indiana's Higher Education commission
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