Susan Selby has been appointed as the new Director of Federal Programs for the Jackson County School District. The decision was made by the Jackson County Board of Education, and Selby will officially start her role on October 1.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amity Hardegree commented on Selby’s appointment, stating, “Ms. Selby brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in federal programs and continuous improvement, along with a service minded and collaborative approach, which is incredibly important in our work to accomplish district and school goals,” Dr. Hardegree said. “We look forward to the impact Ms. Selby will have in this role as we work together to elevate outcomes and opportunities for our students.”
Selby has more than fifteen years of experience working with the Iowa State Department of Education as an Education Program Consultant in the Bureau of Federal Programs division. Her responsibilities included developing Title program operations focused on improving services and building relationships to increase effectiveness. She also has experience in policy development, compliance monitoring, accountability measures, improvement strategies, and training efforts. In addition to these roles, she has worked on literacy initiatives, early childhood programming support, and fostering family partnerships aimed at student success.
Most recently, Selby served as Senior Grant Policy Manager at Ambipar-Witt O’Briens where she led a team managing federal program operations with an emphasis on operational policy and procedures.
Reflecting on her new position, Selby said: “After spending the past 20 years in federal programs for the Iowa Department of Education and a government consulting firm, I am thrilled to be heading back to a school district and closer to where the magic happens for students,” she said. “During my visit to Jackson County, I reviewed many community publications, all of which referenced the strength of its schools. This consistency speaks volumes about the district’s values, its people, and its commitment to building a strong foundation for its students.
“Federal programs are more than checking boxes. When integrated into the district’s mission, strategy, and plans, they serve as a powerful vehicle to accomplish its goals and get things done for kids. I am passionate about translating policy into practice in ways that uplift educators, empower families, and drive outcomes for students. It is an honor to join Jackson County Schools as its Director of Federal Programs. My door is always open, and I am eager to connect, listen, and serve.”
Selby holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Iowa State University as well as a Master of Science in Teaching from Drake University.
In addition to her professional background in education administration and federal programs management, Selby founded a nonprofit organization after her two sons were born prematurely; she spent several years advocating for families with infants in neonatal intensive care units—a personal experience that continues to inform her dedication to serving children and families with empathy.
She anticipates relocating from Iowa with her husband Bob and their sons Jack and Tom after the current school year concludes.
