Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) proudly celebrates Jenny Geno's retirement as our Executive Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE). Ms. Geno will conclude her career on July 31st after over two decades of dedicated service to the students and community of the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Jenny's tenure at Saginaw ISD has been marked by her passion for CTE and her commitment to providing students with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in their future careers. Under her leadership, the district's CTE programs have flourished, offering high school juniors and seniors hands-on experience and technical training in 22 state-approved CTE programs at the Saginaw Career Complex. These programs not only prepare students for the workforce but also provide them with the opportunity to earn college credits and industry certifications.
As the Career Education Planning District (CEPD) Director, Jenny has been instrumental in coordinating career education efforts across the region, ensuring that students have access to high-quality programs that meet the needs of local industries. Ms. Geno actively contributed to the successful passage of the county-wide CTE millage in 2019, which has provided essential funding to expand and enhance CTE programs in Saginaw County, as well as convened an extensive talent consortium to help develop talent in Saginaw County, resulting in over $6 million grant funds.
"Investing in Career and Technical Education is crucial, as it equips students with the practical skills and hands-on experience they need to thrive in today's workforce. By supporting CTE, we are not only preparing our youth for high-demand careers but also strengthening our community's economic foundation and ensuring a skilled workforce for the future. It has been my honor and privilege to lead this work in Saginaw County."
Dr. Jeffrey Collier, Superintendent of Saginaw ISD, expressed his gratitude for Jenny's contributions, "Jenny Geno provided our community award-winning expertise in CTE guidance while building strong relationships with CTE advocates. She did a fantastic job of fostering collaboration between business and education partner stakeholders to help advance growing career pathway opportunities for students throughout Saginaw County. On behalf of Saginaw ISD, we are thankful for her servant leadership and wish her great success as she transitions from her role in public education."
Jenny's work extends beyond the district as she has actively contributed to state and national boards, focusing on workforce development and career education initiatives. Her accolades include the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Distinguished Achievement Award, YWCA Women of Achievement Award, the Michigan Manufacturing Talent Champion Award, Michigan's CTE Director of the Year, ACTE Region 1 CTE Director of the Year, and the National ACTE Administrator of the Year Award. The Saginaw ISD community is invited to celebrate Jenny Geno's retirement and extend their best wishes for her future endeavors.
JENNY GENO BIOGRAPHY
Jenny Geno most recently served as the Executive Director of Career and Technical Education at Saginaw Intermediate School District in Saginaw, Michigan. With 21 years of experience in CTE, Jenny has a deep passion for improving the lives of students and adults through the robust training and career opportunities that CTE offers. Through the lens of equity and access, Jenny works to break down barriers and create new paths toward rewarding careers for all individuals. She believes that education, in all forms, is the great equalizer.
Ms. Geno completed her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and obtained both her Master's Degree and Education Specialist Degrees from Saginaw Valley State University, with additional credits in Career and Technical Education from Wayne State University and Central Michigan University. She was a Gerstacker Fellow through Saginaw Valley State University in 2016 and is a 2020 graduate of the Henry Marsh Institute for Public Policy, also through SVSU. Recently, she was awarded the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Distinguished Achievement Award in 2020; the Manufacturing Talent Champion Award in 2021 from the Michigan Manufacturer's Association; the Michigan CTE Administrator of the Year Award in 2022 from the Michigan Association of Career and Technical Education; the Region 1 Association of Career and Technical Education Administrator of the Year Award in May of 2022; and the National ACTE Administrator of the Year Award in November 2022.
Jenny serves on the Governor's Workforce Development Board and chairs Michigan's Talent Cultivation and Aptitude Pairing Committee. She is also a member of the Michigan Apprenticeship State Advisory Board and the Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee, providing input and leadership toward statewide expansion efforts for students and adults. She is also a member of Michigan's Career Education Planning District Executive Board, representing CEPD Directors from around the state for the last 10 years and serving as legislative liaison. She was elected to the Michigan Association of Career and Technical Education Board of Directors, where she serves as secretary and legislative liaison, and was also appointed to the National Grow Your Own Committee, focusing on teacher apprenticeship. She was also reappointed to the state's Perkins V Executive Leadership team.
Locally, she is a Board member of Saginaw Future, Inc. and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. She also serves on the Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works Career Education Advisory Council Board, the Great Lakes Bay Manufacturers Association Board, the Saginaw Community Foundation DEI Council, Dow CAP Council, and was a past board member of the Saginaw Food Club Board, focusing on providing fresh food to community members residing in designated food deserts.
Jenny has presented at many local, state, and national events throughout her career and has been published many times in national journals.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, five public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Supervisor