A longstanding partnership has been gaining a bit of buzz lately.
Last fall marked the 10th anniversary of our Education Council. We wanted to show some love to these changemakers who have worked tirelessly alongside us to lay the groundwork for continued educational success for over 19,000 students last year alone.
Made up of superintendents, business leaders, skilled trades representatives and funders from Scott and Rock Island Counties, this dynamic council serves as a unique regional asset, fostering cross-sector partnerships.

Legacy of learning: the Education Council's decade of strategic impact.
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Strategic Evaluation and Recommendations: The council’s core mission is to assess K-12 student academic achievement and recommend strategic improvements to enhance educational success for all QC children.
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Data-Driven Success: The Education Council harnesses data to identify challenges and drive academic success across the region. It uses a unique, bistate data sharing project called the Quad Cities Educational Data Exchange to track emerging patterns across our area’s school districts.
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Visionary Leadership: After 10 years, this dedicated group has made a notable impact on the Quad Cities’ educational landscape. Its recommendations have pioneered innovative interventions and cultivated stronger partnerships that continue to make a lasting difference for our youngest Quad Citizens.
“By recognizing the importance of education as a cornerstone for progress, we stand united, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
—Pat Barnes, Global Social Responsibility Lead, Education & Equity, John Deere; Vice Chair of the Education Council
Celebrating ten years of educational achievements.
Set a “North Star” goal to address resource gaps in Title I eligible public schools, and initiate a community school model at Madison Elementary in Davenport. The community school partnership is supported by seed funding from United Way’s African American Leadership Society and Hubbell-Waterman Foundation.
2019The people who help reach new educational milestones.
We’d like to thank all of our Education Council members. (Membership as of February 2024.)
- Pat Barnes
John Deere Foundation (Vice Chair) - Susan Blaskovich
Women United, IMEG Corp. - Julia Hensch
UnityPoint Health System - Kristin Humphries
Superintendent, East Moline School District (Chair) - Chuck McKnight
Local Union 25 - Matt Mendenhall
Regional Development Authority - Kristi Mindrup
Western Illinois University - Col. Daniel Mitchell
Rock Island Arsenal - Jay Morrow
Superintendent, United Township School District - Michelle Morse
Superintendent, Bettendorf School District - Amy Nimmer
Philanthropist, Ret. John Deere Foundation - Laura O’Brien
Rock Island Arsenal - John Riches
Arconic Foundation - Joseph Roidt
St. Ambrose University - Rachel Savage
Superintendent, Moline-Coal Valley School District - TJ Schneckloth
Superintendent, Davenport Community School District - Michael Schroeder
Augustana College - Brian Strusz
Superintendent, Pleasant Valley School District - Joe Stutting
Superintendent, North Scott School District - Jeremy Thomas
Black Hawk College - Kelly Thompson
Quad Cities Community Foundation
Learn more about United Way’s education programs and initiatives or invest today to make an impact in the lives of QC kids.
By recognizing the importance of education as a cornerstone for progress, we stand united, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.