Jen Rathje

The Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) announced the hiring of Jen Rathje as the Legislative Liaison in July 2024. Rathje brings a wealth of experience in governmental affairs, legislative analysis, and program management, making her an exceptional addition to the department's leadership team.

Rathje's extensive career includes significant roles within state agencies and higher education institutions, where she demonstrated a strong ability to navigate complex legislative processes and build impactful relationships with key decision-makers. Most recently, she served as the ESA Administrator (Executive Officer 3) at the Iowa Department of Education, where she managed the Students First Act Education Savings Account (ESA) program.

Throughout her career, Rathje has excelled in coordinating with various stakeholders, including the Governor’s Office, legislative staff, and educational institutions. Her ability to analyze and interpret state and federal regulations, manage appropriations, and oversee program compliance has been instrumental in advancing key initiatives and ensuring program success.

In her role as Legislative Liaison, Rathje will be helping the DOC through administrative rules rewrite, assisting with FOIA's, and Iowa Code clean up. Once the legislative session starts, she will also help with tracking bills and fiscal notes.

Rathje holds a Master of Science in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Central College. Her commitment to public service and her dedication to improving government operations align with the core values of the Iowa Department of Corrections.