INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb has been elected to serve as chair of the National Board of Directors of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) beginning January 1, 2018.
JAG is a state-based, national non-profit organization dedicated to helping students overcome challenges to graduate high school and secure good jobs with career pathways. The program provides mentoring support and helps students gain skills through work-based experiences with real employers. JAG provides programing in high schools, middle schools and out-of-school settings across 1,250 locations in 35 states. Now in its 38th year, JAG has served more than 1.2 million youth, and the results from last year’s class are compelling:
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Employment Rate: 63%
- Full-time Jobs Rate: 75%
- Full-time Placement Rate: 90%
“Every day, Indiana’s JAG program is helping more Hoosiers achieve their career and personal goals—all while helping ensure our state is prepared to meet 21st Century workforce demands,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I am honored to accept this position with an organization ideally positioned to take our state and the rest of the nation to the next level.”
“We are delighted Gov. Holcomb has agreed to serve as chair of the JAG National Board of Directors,” said Ken Smith, President and Co-Founder of JAG. “The board’s unanimous vote is a clear demonstration to his leadership and commitment to the program—both in Indiana and across the country. He has been an especially enthusiastic and engaged leader and supporter of JAG-Indiana for many years, and we know he will bring that energy and enthusiasm to the national organizaton.”
“Helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in 21st century careers is a critical step to building the diverse workforce we need to power our company—and our nation—for the future,” said Bill Soards, President of AT&T Indiana. “JAG has a track record of success and with Gov. Holcomb’s leadership, I’m certain even more students will be given the opportunity to thrive.”
More governors—12 total—serve on the Jobs for America’s Graduates Board of Directors than on any board in the nation, with a bipartisan group that includes Governor John Bel Edwards, Vice-Chair (LA); Governor Phil Bryant, immediate past-Chairman (MS); Governor Matt Bevin (KY); Governor Sam Brownback (KS); Gov. Steve Bullock (MT); Governor Doug Ducey (AZ); Governor Asa Hutchinson (AR); Governor Kenneth Mapp (VI); Governor Terry McAuliffe (VA); Governor Kim Reynolds (IA); and Governor Chris Sununu (NH). The Board also includes Marc Morial, the President of the National Urban League, a dozen C-Suite executives of Fortune 1,000 companies such as GE, AT&T, United Healthcare, Microsoft and HCA as well as Chief State School Officers and State Commissioners of Labor.
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About Jobs for America’s Graduates
Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a 38-year-old, non-profit organization and youth development program dedicated to helping at-risk youth graduate from high school and make successful transitions to postsecondary education or meaningful employment. JAG has served over 1.2 million youth in its history and is currently helping 63,000 young people in 1,250 schools and other locations in 35 states achieve academic, career and life success. After more than two decades of operation, JAG has proven to be one of the most cost-effective and successful state-level strategies for tackling high dropout rates, low academic performance, youth unemployment, and other critical issues related to at-risk youth. For more information go to www.jag.org.