PHOTO COURTESY OF LIFETOUCH

Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs’ tenure as executive director and CEO of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) took effect July 1. An attorney with extensive school board leadership experience, McCotter-Jacobs previously served as NSBA’s deputy executive director.

In a statement, outgoing CEO John Heim expressed his enthusiasm for the selection of McCotter-Jacobs, saying, “Her dedication to ensuring high-quality education for every child aligns perfectly with NSBA’s vision, and her proven track record of leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the association’s continued success.”

NSBA President Kristi Swett also expressed pleasure in McCotter-Jacobs’ appointment: “Verjeana’s passion for education, combined with her strategic thinking and collaborative approach, make her an ideal choice to lead NSBA. I am confident that under her guidance, we will strengthen our advocacy efforts, amplify the voice of local school boards, and advance educational opportunities for students nationwide.”

McCotter-Jacobs served as chair of the Board of Education for Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland for six years. A school board member for a decade, she also served as president of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education and as steering committee chair of NSBA’s Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE).

McCotter-Jacobs worked for more than 20 years for the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections, retiring as the Division Chief of the Office of Professional Responsibility and Legal Affairs at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She maintains a license to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

McCotter-Jacobs began her tenure at NSBA in 2017, leading the organization’s change around member engagement, as well as building upon the organization’s progress in member services, equity, and social justice. She was named NSBA’s chief transformational officer in 2020 and deputy executive director in August 2022.

As the executive director and CEO, McCotter-Jacobs will oversee NSBA’s operations and initiatives, working closely with state associations of school boards, as well as local school board members, school law attorneys, education professionals, and policymakers to shape education policy, drive innovation, and promote effective governance at the local level.

In a statement, McCotter-Jacobs said she is “deeply committed to empowering school boards and collaborating with educators, community members, and parents to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education. I look forward to working alongside the NSBA team and our dedicated members to advance educational equity, foster student success, and create meaningful change in our education system.”