Jessie Vernon

Jessie Vernon joined the Institute for Advanced Learning (IALR) in 2012 and serves as program manager for the EmPOWER framework. Vernon is responsible for Career ChoICE, AspHIRE, and Next generation Of Work (NOW). Additionally, she serves as the Southside Tobacco Commission Region Coordinator & Danville Hub Manager for CodeVA, through IALR’s partnership with CodeVA. Vernon serves on the Virginia Department of Education Computer Science Education Advisory Council and on the leadership team of the Southern Virginia Computer Science Teachers Association Chapter. Vernon has over 11 years of experience in formal and informal education, having taught at the middle and high school level prior to joining IALR. She has navigated all passable sections of the James River (340 miles), as part of the inaugural James River Expedition. Vernon holds a bachelor’s degree in marine science, and is a proud Sea Semester alumna (C201- Woodshole, MA, to St. Croix, VI).