Jessica and her family love to spend time at Kordiak Park near their home in Columbia Heights.

About Me

I am a parent of three students in Columbia Heights Public Schools, where I’ve been an active volunteer in the schools and a leader in PTO, in addition to my work on the School Board. Starting this fall, my kids will have attended every school in the district except one! My spouse is a teacher, and we have lived in Columbia Heights for 15 years, choosing to build our family here because of the broad diversity of the community and the small size and the unique opportunities in the district. Volunteerism is a central value to our family, and our family is involved across our schools and the City of Columbia Heights in efforts to ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and safe city.
Professionally, I've worked in higher education for 25 years, currently in administration in the public community and technical college system. I previously worked at a public four-year university and in student leadership development and advocacy. I am also a licensed attorney. I have a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Minnesota, and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline).

Community Involvement

  • Columbia Academy Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), 2023-Present

    Managed Mutual Aid for Families, 2026

  • Highland Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), President, 2022-2026

    Managed Mutual Aid for Families, 2026

  • Valley View Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), President, 2018-2021

  • Parent Representative, District Title I Meetings, District Calendar Committee, District Finance Advisory Committee, Multiple Years

  • Valley View Principal Search Committee, Parent Representative, 2019

  • Citizens for Safer Streets Member, 2019

  • Vote Yes Committee, Volunteer, 2018, 2023

  • Parent Advisory Committee, District Early Childhood Programs, Vice President, 2015-2017

School Board Leadership

  • Parliamentarian, 2023-Present

  • Subcommittee on Policy, 2024-Present

  • Subcommittee on Community Engagement, 2023-2024

  • Steering Committee for development of the CHPS Strategic Plan

  • Representative to Columbia Heights City Council, Columbia Heights Business Council, Association of Metropolitan School Districts, Delegate and Legislative Liaison to MN School Board Association, Liaison to multiple CHPS schools