A Grateful Heart and an Exciting New Chapter

Over the past eight years, one of my favorite parts of serving as IAACE’s Executive Director has been connecting with you through this weekly blog. It has been a place to communicate, celebrate successes, share opportunities, highlight the incredible work happening across Indiana, and remind us all why adult education changes lives.

Today, I want to share something a little more personal.

After much thought and reflection, I have accepted a new professional opportunity and will be transitioning from my role as Executive Director of IAACE.

This decision was not an easy one. IAACE has been so much more than a job to me—it has been a community, a mission, and a privilege. Serving this organization and its members has truly been one of the greatest honors of my professional career.

When I accepted this role eight years ago, I could never have imagined all that we would accomplish together. We have navigated change, celebrated milestones, strengthened our conferences, expanded communication, built partnerships, supported one another through challenges, and continued advocating for adult education across Indiana. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the passion, dedication, and generosity of the people who make up IAACE.

This past year has been especially rewarding and a wonderful reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together. As an Association, we reached several significant milestones that have strengthened IAACE’s future. We welcomed the COABE National Conference to Indiana, generating more than $37,000 that can be reinvested into IAACE’s mission and future initiatives. We secured a new four-year collaboration with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to support adult education conferences, and we finalized an agreement that ensures IAACE’s annual conference will move to French Lick through 2030. These accomplishments were only possible because of dedicated Board members, volunteers, presenters, partners, and members who generously gave their time, talents, and support.

You have inspired me every single day.

One of the greatest gifts of this role has been the relationships. Adult education is an incredibly supportive and connected community, and I have been fortunate to work alongside educators, administrators, volunteers, Board members, community partners, and advocates who genuinely care about changing lives through education. Those relationships are what I will treasure most.

Over the next 30 days, my focus is simple: to help ensure IAACE remains strong and well-positioned for continued success. I will be completing current responsibilities, documenting procedures, organizing resources, and sharing the institutional knowledge I have gained over the years to support a smooth transition for the next staff and the Board.

My hope is that IAACE continues to thrive. This Association has a strong foundation, dedicated volunteers, committed leaders, and an important mission. I have every confidence that its best days are still ahead.

I am also excited to share that my next chapter allows me to remain in the adult education community. I will be joining ConnectAble as the Mid-South Membership Director, where I will continue supporting adult education programs and professionals across multiple states. One of the things that drew me to this opportunity is that it allows me to continue building relationships, supporting educators, and contributing to the work that has meant so much to me throughout my career.

The best part? This isn’t goodbye.

I fully expect our paths to continue crossing at conferences, trainings, meetings, and events. I look forward to continuing to partner with many of you in new ways as we all work toward our shared goal of strengthening adult education and creating opportunities for learners.

As I reflect on these past eight years, my heart is full of gratitude.

Thank you for your trust.

Thank you for your encouragement.

Thank you for your friendship.

Thank you for your willingness to serve this Association and the adult learners we all care so deeply about.

As I pass the baton, I do so with great confidence in IAACE’s future. The Association is financially stronger, strategically positioned, and supported by an extraordinary community of leaders, volunteers, and members who will continue moving this important work forward.

It has been an incredible privilege to serve as your Executive Director, and I will always be proud to have been part of the IAACE story.

This is not the end of our journey together—it is simply the beginning of a new chapter. I look forward to seeing many of you at future conferences and events and continuing to work alongside you in support of adult education.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Jennifer Wigginton
Executive Director (through my transition period)
Indiana Association for Adult and Continuing Education

Jenn Wigginton

Jenn was the IAACE Executive Director from July 2018-July 2026. Her passion for adult education shines through in everything she does.