Christine Jax
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Christine Jax | |
|---|---|
| Born | Detroit, MI |
| Education | Ph.D., MA, BA |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota Hamline University |
| Spouse | Zeus Castillo |
| Website | www.christinejax.com |
Christine Jax was a commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education (then known as the Department of Children, Families and Learning) from 1999 to 2003.[1][2][3] In 2012 she ran for a school board position in Palm Beach County, Florida,[4] and in 2015 she became the dean and chief academic officer for Digital Media Arts College, an art and design college in Boca Raton, Florida.[5]
Jax founded and managed a school for homeless children in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the early 1990s. In 1996, Jax received a Bush Foundation grant to conduct a study concerning educational policy pertaining to urban high school students.[6] For the past 25 years Jax has taught and held administrative positions at various higher education institutions, including Ashworth College,[7] Capella University,[8] and Walden University,[9] as well as Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.[10] In 2015 she accepted the position of chief academic officer at Digital Media Arts College.[11] In 2021 Jax became the CEO of International Accreditation Association.[12]
From 1999 to 2003 she served the state of Minnesota as Commissioner of Education (Education Chief) as a member of Governor Jesse Ventura's appointed cabinet.[13] During her tenure, the budget of the department she led (the Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning, which was the state's state education agency) was cut by $8.5 million (more than 10 percent). As a result, according to Education Week, Jax "cut one-quarter of the department's staff, to 183 positions, and restricted agency spending on travel, hiring, and contracting."[14]
Jax has authored three non-fiction books: The Seven Stages of an Enlightened Teacher; Who's Building the Ark: How to Manage Through Hell and High Water; and Women Within.[15]
Electoral politics
In 2002, Jax was briefly a candidate for governor of Minnesota, running as an Independence Party of Minnesota candidate.[16] Jax dropped out of the race and endorsed congressman Tim Penny, who was defeated by Republican Tim Pawlenty in a three-way race.[17]
Jax subsequently moved from Minnesota to South Florida. Jax ran for the Palm Beach County School Board in 2012.[18][19] In a five-candidate race, Jax advanced to a runoff election,[20][21] but was defeated by Michael Murgio.[22]