Governor Kristi Noem is appointing one of her senior policy advisors as the next state Secretary of Education. Tiffany Sanderson currently advises the governor on K-12 education, higher education and workforce development.
Sanderson joined the governor’s staff last year. She previously led the state’s career and technical education system. She has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from South Dakota State University, and a master’s degree in administration from the University of South Dakota.
In a statement, Sanderson says she’s the mother of a middle-school student. She says the state can waste no time in strengthening the education system.
The appointment is effective on December 9th. Current Secretary of Education Ben Jones is taking a new position as director of the South Dakota State Historical Society.
-Contact SDPB reporter Jackie Hendry by email.