Kansas State Board of Education selects Dr. Jake Steel as next education commissioner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 14, 2026

Contact: Denise Kahler, director of KSDE Communications and Recognition Programs, [email protected], or (785) 296-4876

Kansas State Board of Education selects Dr. Jake Steel as next education commissioner
Steel to assume role June 1

TOPEKA - A product of Kansas public schools will soon lead the state's education system.

The Kansas State Board of Education on Tuesday named Dr. Jake Steel as the next Kansas commissioner of education during its April 14 meeting.

Steel will officially assume the role on June 1, succeeding current commissioner Dr. Randy Watson, who announced his retirement last fall.

Steel currently serves as director of strategy and operational alignment at the Kansas State Department of Education, where he has led high-impact initiatives that strengthened alignment across the agency, secured critical resources for Kansas schools and expanded support for educators statewide. His work includes helping secure $26 million in federal funding for Kansas schools and expanding professional learning opportunities for thousands of educators.

"Dr. Steel brings a clear vision for the future of education in Kansas and a proven ability to lead complex, statewide work," said Board Chair Cathy Hopkins. "The board looks forward to working with him to continue the progress underway and keep moving this work forward for Kansas students."

As commissioner, Steel will work in partnership with the State Board to implement its vision and priorities, ensuring alignment between board policy and the supports provided to school districts across Kansas.

Prior to joining KSDE, Steel served as a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Education and as a White House Fellow on the Domestic Policy Council, where his work focused on education policy, innovation and cross-system collaboration.

Steel earned a doctorate in education leadership from Harvard University, a master's degree in education from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor's degree in communications from Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Raised in Kansas and a graduate of Garden City High School, Steel said building strong relationships with superintendents and educators across Kansas will be a top priority.

"I am grateful to the State Board for the opportunity to serve as the next commissioner. This work is deeply personal to me as someone raised in Kansas public schools and now raising my family here," Steel said. "I'm ready to get to work carrying out the State Board's vision, partnering with superintendents across the state, and building a strong path forward that expands opportunities for every Kansas student."

Steel said his focus will include strengthening the state's school improvement efforts by helping districts use data more effectively, providing targeted supports and ensuring alignment across the system.

"Our focus is ensuring districts have the tools and support they need to use data in meaningful ways to improve student outcomes," Steel said. "By staying focused, aligned and committed to supporting schools, we can build on the progress already underway across Kansas."

As commissioner, Steel will serve as the chief executive officer of KSDE, responsible for carrying out State Board policies and supporting school districts across Kansas.

Watson, who has served as commissioner since 2015, said Steel is prepared to lead the agency into its next chapter.

"I have seen firsthand Dr. Steel's ability to lead, solve problems and deliver results," Watson said. "He understands this agency, he understands our schools, and he is ready to lead Kansas education forward."

Steel's appointment follows a national search conducted by the State Board.

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