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Governor Eric J. Holcomb
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Gov. Holcomb announces JAG Indiana to double workforce program across Indiana

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WHAT IS JAG?

The Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program is a state-based, national non-profit organization dedicated to helping high school students of promise who have experienced challenging or traumatic life experiences achieve success through graduation.

JAG is a resiliency-building workforce program that helps students learn in-demand employability skills and provides a bridge to post-secondary education and career advancement opportunities. Currently there are 125 JAG programs available throughout Indiana.

JAG students receive adult mentoring while in school and one year of follow-up counseling after graduation.

Indiana’s program consistently graduates approximately 95% of participants and many students choose to continue their education after high school. The JAG program is funded through grants provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

  • JAG student high fiving Gov. Eric Holcomb with smiling DWD staff looking on
  • JAG Staff, DWD Commissioner, and Student receiving an award
  • JAG Student at Podium Speaking
  • JAG National and IN JAG staff holding the JAG 5 of 5 award
  • Three JAG students holding an excellence award certificate

Picture of Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb

Picture of Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb


Governor Eric Holcomb and several legislators attended to meet students, celebrate their success across the state, and learn more about JAG Indiana.

The education and training provided through JAG Indiana has prepared thousands of young Hoosiers for success after high school and opened doors to positive education career and personal outcomes that will impact their lives forever.

-Governor and JAG National Board Member
Eric J. Holcomb

WHAT DOES JAG MEAN TO YOU?

HISTORY OF JAG INDIANA

  • 2006 - 2007

    • Governor Mitch Daniels implements the JAG model to address the growing dropout crisis in the state.
    • JAG Indiana serves 217 students at 12 in-school programs statewide.

    2007 - 2008

    • JAG Indiana serves 355 students at 13 in-school programs.
    • The first cohort of 57 students earn their High School diplomas and complete JAG program.
    • 65% go on to full-time work and 46% pursue post-secondary training.

    2008 - 2009

    • JAG Indiana grows extensively to 35 in-school programs.

  • 2009 - 2010

    • Expansion continues as JAG Indiana grows to 58 in-school programs.
    • The first out-of-school dropout-recovery programs are formed in southwest Indiana.

    2010- 2011

    • Out-of-School model expands to southeastern Indiana and Indianapolis.

    2011 - 2012

    • Expansion continues as JAG Indiana grows to 59 in-school programs.

  • 2012 - 2013

    • JAG Indiana continues to operate 59 in-school programs that serve 1939 students. Follow-up services were provided to an additional 1089 students.
    • North Central Indiana adds the out-of-school model.
    • JAG Indiana achieves a statewide graduation rate of 90.1%.

    2013 - 2014

    • Governor Mike Pence and State Legislators approve state funding of $12M to expand JAG Indiana over two years.
    • JAG Indiana expands by 47 new in-school programs for a total of 103 Multi-Year and Alternative Education programs and operates 12 out-of-school programs.

    2014 - 2015

    • JAG Indiana operates 106 in school and alternative school programs and 12 out-of-school programs.
    • JAG Indiana achieves the highest graduation rate in state’s history-93% (class of 2013-2014).

  • 2015 - 2016

    • Governor Mike Pence and State Legislators approve state funding of $11.6M to support JAG Indiana over the next two years.
    • JAG IN awarded 4 Ken Smith National Scholarships, the highest amongst the 32 JAG states.
    • JAG Indiana receives Statewide 5 of 5 Award.

    2016 - 2017

    • JAG Indiana celebrates 10 Years at Indiana Statehouse with keynote and recent JAG National Board appointee, Governor Eric Holcomb.
    • State Legislators approve $16M in state funding to support JAG Indiana over the next two years.
    • JAG Indiana achieves highest graduation rate in state’s history; 95% for the Class of 2015-2016.

    2017 - 2018

    • Governor Eric Holcomb is elected JAG National Board Chair. Governor Holcomb pledges to expand JAG Indiana during his State of State Address.
    • JAG Indiana begins two College Success Program models through a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College and Strada Education Network.

  • 2017 - 2018 cont.

    • JAG Indiana is awarded three Ken Smith National Scholarships and two Ken Smith Leadership Scholarships.
    • JAG Indiana hosts National Board Meeting in Indianapolis and presents its Strategic Growth Plan.

    2018 - 2019

    • JAG College Success Program expands to Vincennes University.
    • JAG Indiana hits prestigious 5 of 5 metric for 5th consecutive year.
    • Indiana sees a record of 5 JAG students names as Ken Smith Scholars.
    • JAG Indiana students graduate at a record 96%.
    • Governor Holcomb serves as JAG National Chair.

    2019 - 2020

    • JAG Indiana hosts first-ever virtual Career Development Conference.
    • Record number of JAG Indiana students compete in regional and state Career Development Conference.
    • Governor Holcomb serves as a member on the JAG National Board.
    • Four JAG Indiana students are named as Ken Smith Scholars. Four JAG Indiana students earn national T-Mobile scholarships.

  • 2020 - 2021

    • A record eight JAG Indiana students are named Ken Smith Scholars.
    • JAG Indiana virtual Career Development Conference reaches over 2,500 people.
    • Governor Holcomb continues to serve on JAG National Board; JAG Indiana students earn over $19 million in scholarship money

    2021 - 2022

    • Seven JAG Indiana students earn national Ken Smith Scholarships Avon student one of five nationally to win $10,000 scholarship.
    • JAG Indiana earns prestigious 5 of 5 distinction for 6th year in the last 7.

    2022 - 2023

    • JAG Indiana achieves 6 of 6 national distinction for outcomes.
    • Governor Holcomb commits to doubling JAG Indiana programs by Spring 2025.

THE JAG INDIANA TEAM

REGIONAL STAFF

NamePhoneEmail Counties Served
Michelle Truswell 574-772-6882 Mtruswell@gotoworkonenw.com Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and Starke
Savannah Quezada 317-450-1615 Savannah.Quezada@gotoworkone.com Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall, and St. Joseph
Rachel Bryant 260-760-2984 rachelbryant@mybrightpoint.org Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Grant, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley
Mellisa Leaming 765-807-0888
mleaming@tap.lafayette.in.us		 Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Frankfort, Howard, Miami, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Tipton, and White
Sara Beth Meyers 317-818-0846 smeyers@workonecentral.org Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Morgan, and Shelby
Lisa Price 260-251-0713 lprice@work-one.org Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union, and Wayne
Greg Lee 812-249-8585 glee@vinu.edu Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo
Sam Perkins 812-675-7579 Samuel.perkins@vinu.edu Brown, Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, and Owen
Kristal Biehle 812-569-1776 kristal@rivervalleyresources.com Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland
Laura Lowe 812-722-7157 llowe@soinworks.com Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington
Chrissy Ash 812-403-0116cash@jobworksinc.org Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick
Beth Bowling 317-713-7614 bbowling@employindy.org Marion


STATE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

NamePositionEmail
Leslie Crist Associate Chief Operating Officer Workforce Programs and JAG National State Lead lcrist@dwd.in.gov
Bart Doan Assistant Director of Youth Initiatives bdoan@dwd.in.gov
Brianna Morse Director Youth Initiatives and JAG National Lead Bmorse1@dwd.in.gov
Cherish ShaferField Support Manager, Northern Indianacshafer1@dwd.in.gov
Christine Shaffer Manager of Professional Development cshaffer@dwd.in.gov
Derek MorganStatewide Training Coordinatordemorgan@dwd.in.gov
Jennifer RobinsonField Support Manager, Southern Indianajenrobinson@dwd.in.gov
Laura Wheeler Associate Director of Quality Assurance lwheeler@dwd.in.gov

Contact Us

General Information

Jobs for America’s Graduates
Indiana Department of Workforce Development
10 North Senate Avenue, Room 203
Indianapolis, IN 46204
P: (317) 233-6815
JAGIndiana@dwd.in.gov

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