Governor Kristi Noem today announced that Dr. Ben Jones has been appointed as the permanent Secretary of Education. Jones has been serving as Interim Secretary of Education since January 2019.

“I’ve been impressed with Ben’s work in the first four months we’ve served together, and I’m pleased he’s on board moving forward,” said Noem. “Ben shares my desire to ensure every South Dakota student has access to a quality education.”

Source: Kristin Wileman, SD.Gov


 

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Governor-elect Kristi Noem has announced that Dr. Ben Jones will join her administration as Interim Secretary of Education.

“There’s no better place to grow up than South Dakota, but we must do better to equip the next generation with the tools they need to thrive,” said Noem. “Ben Jones is an experienced voice and trusted leader in South Dakota education. Together, we’ll look for innovative ways to strengthen our systems, work to improve K-12 outcomes, and make our education programs more applicable to the modern workforce.”

Jones holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Kansas. Now serving as the Dean of Dakota State University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Jones oversees more than 50 full-time and adjunct faculty members.

Jones, a De Smet native, now lives in Sioux Falls with his wife and three children.

Earlier today Noem named Kim Vanneman as Secretary of Agriculture.

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