Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that he will appoint Katie Jenner as Indiana’s education secretary. She will serve as the first ever appointed secretary of education for the state.

Ever since Democrat Glenda Ritz upset Tony Bennett in 2012 for the Superintendent of Public Instruction role there had been talk of making the position an appointed one. That talk strengthened as Ritz clashed with Republican leadership. She was defeated by Republican challenger Jennifer McCormick in 2016; however, she too occasionally broke rank with her party. Making the position an appointed one in theory would create less friction.

Jenner has been a teacher, and a school and district administrator. She currently serves as the senior education advisor to the governor.

Reaction to the appointment has been generally positive as Democrats and Republicans favored making the superintendent role an appointed position.

That wasn’t the only new role announced. The governor also announced that Karrah Herring will serve as Indiana’s Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Opportunity Officer. A position that many people asked for after the events of this summer. She is expected to play a role in “every state agency.”