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Sarah Jenness

Senior Program Manager​

Sarah Jenness

Sarah Jenness is a senior program manager at Jobs for the Future. She helps leaders in K-12 school systems, higher education, business and industry, workforce development, and government develop rigorous career pathways that lead to high-wage, high-demand jobs.

She is currently working on two projects in Texas: the Texas Regional Pathways Network (TRPN) and Lone Star STEM. The TRPN’s mission is to build regional talent pipelines that spur economic growth and ensure that all Texans have the skills and credentials needed for economic advancement. Lone Star STEM is a U.S. Department of Education initiative that supports schools’ efforts to build computer science and cybersecurity career pathways.

Sarah also leads the Pathways to Prosperity membership in Dayton, Ohio.

Before joining JFF, she worked as an administrative assistant and as a graduate admissions counselor at Simmons University. Before that, she completed an AmeriCorps year of service in a charter school in Chelsea, Massachusetts, where she tutored and created a curriculum for English learners.

Sarah serves on the board of the Fenway Community Development Corporation, which works to preserve the vibrancy and diversity of Boston’s Fenway neighborhood.

Reflecting on her decision to join JFF, Sarah says, “As a Pell-eligible student who was able to access upward economic mobility through rigorous education and professional networks, I want to create systems and structures that connect people to education and training that lead to living-wage jobs.”

Sarah has a master’s degree in public policy from Simmons College. As an undergraduate, she attended Bryn Mawr College as a Posse Scholar and independently majored in sociology of education.

Outside of work, she likes spending time with her partner, Marty, and their three cats. She enjoys running and walking while listening to audiobooks or podcasts and having game/trivia nights with friends.

More Related to Sarah Jenness | Jobs for the Future (JFF)

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Impact Story

Lone Star STEM

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Lone Star STEM supports the implementation of college and career pathways in computer science and cybersecurity to develop a diverse talent pipeline of future tech workers.

Tagged under: Career and Technical Education, Career Pathways, Developmental Education
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Educator/Employer Partnerships Make Progress in Ohio: The Montgomery County Business Advisory Council

This case study outlines how the Montgomery County Education Service Center (MCESC), in partnership with JFF's Pathways to Prosperity Network team, has worked to address the mismatch between education and labor market from 2018-2022. It outlines the importance of leadership through the regional Business Advisory Council, highlights the process of documenting skills and competencies for key industries in the region, and describes the development of pathway models that outline key aspects of pathways including labor market information, postsecondary options, college and career preparation opportunities, and coursework. It demonstrates how the region has successfully moved from discrete one-off education and training programs to well-developed regional infrastructure that supports college and career pathways that benefit students, employers, and the regional economy.

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Scaling Dual Enrollment in Rural Communities

Dual enrollment is a powerful mechanism to support college readiness and success for high school students across the country. Rural schools provide unique advantages but face distinct challenges in creating effective dual enrollment opportunities for students. This case study examines how three rural schools in Texas addressed three challenges rural schools face: overcoming distance to higher education partners, supporting students in navigating the college environment, and building staff capacity to support dual enrollment.