Jennifer Schrodt
Jennifer Schrodt brings 17 years of experience in education, leadership, and public service to her role at NSWERS, where she began on November 12, 2025. Her career reflects a strong commitment to organizational effectiveness, learner support, and community impact across Nebraska’s educational landscape.
Jennifer holds a Master of Arts in Management with a Leadership emphasis from Doane University and a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies—focused on Education, Psychology, and Sociology—from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She also maintains both a Cosmetology License and a Cosmetology Instructor’s License through the State of Nebraska, demonstrating the breadth of her professional expertise.
As the Executive Assistant/Operations Specialist, Schrodt provides high-level administrative and operational support to the executive director and the senior leadership team by expertly managing complex calendars, coordinating logistics, and balancing competing priorities across multiple stakeholders. Working closely with NSWERS partners such as the Nebraska Department of Education, community colleges, state colleges, the University System, the Nebraska Department of Labor, and executive-level leaders, she facilitates clear, organized communication while safeguarding confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
A native of Hershey, Nebraska, Jennifer enjoys a vibrant life outside of work. She and her husband foster retired Flat-Coated Retriever show dogs—currently caring for Georgia and Peaches. She also loves interior design and tending to her flower garden.
Get to Know Jennifer
What author, researcher, or scientist is most influential to you in your work at NSWERS?
I would say my greatest influence is my Heavenly Father. The principles I learn through scripture shape my work ethic, keeping me honest, loyal, and committed to doing the job I’m entrusted with.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
I attribute my success to being driven, consistent, and even keeled. I stay true to who I am, and that keeps me grounded and focused.
If I wasn’t in my field of work, I would probably be:
If I weren’t in my current role, I’d likely still be teaching Cosmetology, a career I spent 25 years enjoying.
What gets you up in the morning?
Our two Flat-Coated Retrievers, so there is no shortage of cheerful wake-up calls!
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?
People sometimes think that my job is just about calendars and coffee, but my role goes far beyond that. I’m the central connector who supports our team and keeps us moving forward.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a kid, I dreamed of being a teacher or a hairstylist. Following high school graduation, I combined those passions by teaching cosmetology.
How many different states/countries have you lived in? Which ones?
I was born in Fort Sil, OK, on an army base, but Nebraska has been home since my dad deployed to Germany and my mom brought me back to her family. It’s the place I’ve grown up, grown roots, and stayed in. After all, there is no place like Nebraska!
What is a fun or interesting fact about your hometown?
Oh, Hershey, NE – tiny but full of charm. Here’s a couple of fun facts: It’s named after pioneer settler J. H. Hershey, who helped kick things off as a Union Pacific Railroad stop back in the day, turning it into a bustling little hub by the early 1900s. And…today, it’s got a brand new 300-acre Rail Park that is Nebraska’s first official Union Pacific development site, drawing in rail fans and future industry buzz.
Coffee or tea? Anything in it?
No coffee or tea for me – I wake up with a cold, caffeinated flavored drink to get my day going.