Jenna Ahner

Jenna Ahner

Degree: 2014, MPA and 2012, B.A.

Job Title: Senior Associate, Education Strategy Group

Jenna Ahner (Bucsak) (B.A., 2012 and MPA, 2014) works with Education Strategy Group (ESG) as a Senior Associate on the Career Readiness team. In this role, she supports states and communities throughout the country in aligning K-12, postsecondary, and workforce systems.

Prior to this position, Jenna served as the Executive Director of the Delaware State Board of Education. In this role she directed and managed work conducted by the State Board, including managing strategic priorities, setting and monitoring goals, and developing State Board policies and procedures. Additionally, she supported the Board by providing legislative and regulatory policy analysis, facilitating committees and coalitions to support education policies, and developing and managing all communications for the Board. 

Jenna also served as a Senior Program Officer at the Rodel Foundation of Delaware. She led the organization’s strategy and fundraising on college and career readiness policies and initiatives. She also supported policy research in the areas of early learning and education funding, among others. 

During her time at the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, as both an undergraduate and a graduate student, Jenna gained a wide variety of experiences. As a Public Administration Fellow with the Institute for Public Administration, Jenna's work included research on stimulating broadband adoption in Delaware, proposing governance and funding options for the proposed Duck Creek Regional Library to be located in Smyrna, Delaware, and assistance with Governor Markell’s Charter School Working Group.

In 2012, Jenna was a Legislative Fellow with the House Majority Caucus. She staffed the Education, Labor, and Telecommunications, Internet and Technology Committees. Jenna regards her time at the Institute for Public Administration and as a Legislative Fellow as a critical part of her learning experience at the University of Delaware. These opportunities enhanced the skills and knowledge developed through her academic programs and set the foundation for her career in public service. 

Jenna resides in Delaware with her husband Mark.​