Debi Wade Jordan’s relationship with Community Education began when she was a single mother working at Western Kentucky University in the mid-1990s.
“I had no extended family in Bowling Green,” Jordan said. “The school-age program allowed me to work while my son was in a safe environment that was both active and educational.”
In 2000, Jordan, who holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WKU, accepted the position of executive director of Community Education. Under her leadership, Community Education grew to add programs such as Teen Angel, Summer Activities Fair, and Spellabration.
“Serving the residents of our community is my passion,” Jordan said. “I was most fortunate to be able to do that through Community Education and collaborations with other agencies and organizations, including both local school districts.”
In addition, Community Education built the first permanent home for the agency on Westen Street during Jordan’s time as executive director.
She was extremely active in the Kentucky Community Education Association, in which she served in several offices, including president. Both of her children worked in entry-level jobs for Community Education during their college years.
Jordan retired in 2019 to assist with her aging parents. Her daughter, Bailey Jordan Warner, also was bitten by the Community Education bug and became the agency’s adult enrichment coordinator in November of 2021.