What is JAG?

JAG Indiana Success

The JAG Indiana Success graphic contains the following metrics about the JAG program in Indiana: 96% Graduate Rate, $19.5 million scholarship money earned (Class of 2020), 83% positive outcome rate in post-secondary education, employment and/or military service, and Over 225k service learning hours.

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 135 JAG programs available throughout Indiana, click here for a complete listing. 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. JAG program is funded through grants provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.


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 Chair Eric J. Holcomb

JAG Indiana celebrated 10 years of success in 2017

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

Check out this video highlighting the event:

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 Eric Holcomb announces JAG Indiana will expand to an additional 250 schools over the next five to seven years.
  • JAG Indiana begins two College Success Program models through a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College and Strada Education Network.
  • 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.

The JAG Indiana Team

Regional Staff

Name Phone E-mail Counties Covered
Michelle Truswell 574-772-6882 [email protected] Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and Starke
Jennifer Grant 574-767-1678 [email protected] Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall, and St. Joseph
Rachel Bryant 260-760-2984 [email protected] Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Grant, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley
Kellie Shafer 756-446-2631 ext: 2797 [email protected] Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Frankfort, Howard, Miami, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Tipton, and White
Sara Beth Meyers 317-818-0846 [email protected] Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Morgan, and Shelby
Robin Douthitt 765-738-8532 [email protected] Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union, and Wayne
Greg Lee 812-249-8585 [email protected] Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo
Jennifer Robinson 812-360-4906 [email protected] Brown, Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, and Owen
Kristal Biehle 812-569-1776 [email protected] Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland
Lori Stamatovich 574-218-2183 [email protected] Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington
Jody Robinson 812-719-7404 [email protected] Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick
Beth Bowling 317-713-7614 [email protected] Marion

State Administrative StafF

Name Position E-mail
Leslie Crist Associate Chief Operating Officer Workforce Programs and JAG National State Lead [email protected]
Bart Doan Associate Director Youth Initiatives [email protected]
Laura Hannum Marketing Coordinator [email protected]
Brianna Morse Director Youth Initiatives and JAG National Lead [email protected]
Christine Shaffer Statewide Trainer [email protected]
Laura Wheeler Program Manager – Professional Development & Data Analyst [email protected]
Michael Coleman Out-of-School Youth Program Manager [email protected]

Contact Us

General Information

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
[email protected]

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Department of Workforce Development Resources


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