Jeffrey Meador, a 2021 graduate of the Clinton School of Public Service, is the Chief Communications Officer for the Godley Independent School District in Godley, Texas.
Meador, who earned his Master of Public Service through Clinton School Online, has more than two decades of experience in communications and public relations. He was the Granbury Independent School District’s communications director from 2007 through 2022, and previously worked at Tarleton State University as the public policy information officer for the Center for Agribusiness Excellence.
He was a legislative assistant to Congressman Charles W. Stenholm in Washington D.C., serving as manager of Stenholm’s re-election campaigns, and as a regulatory affairs manager in Sprint’s government relations office in Austin, Texas.
Meador graduated with his bachelor’s degree in government and history from Tarleton State University and later earned a master’s degree in history and political science at TSU.
What interested you in your new position with the Godley Independent School District?
Continuing serving in a public school district was important to me. Public education provides schoolchildren with all-around learning, knowledge and skills for bright futures and success. With almost 20 years in public education, I firmly believe that all children deserve a strong foundation to pursue their chosen field or passion in life. Public education continues to offer the best opportunity for every single child in our country with ever-evolving offerings that fully develop each student in academics and co-curricular courses.
What does public service mean to you?
Public service is more than a choice. It is a commitment and responsibility. We must all devote ourselves to respect and empathy for one another and advocating for a better society where each person is valued. Through careers or volunteer endeavors in public service, we should advance our ideals, join disenfranchised groups as allies and promote the common good and positive social change.
What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, when my father was stationed at Schofield Barracks following two tours of duty in Vietnam. My family lived in the Aloha State for four years before returning to Texas, where both my parents worked for public schools following my father’s military service. My grandmother was also a school teacher, making me a third-generation educator.
What was your favorite class in your time as a Clinton School student?
Program Planning and Development with Dr. Al Bavon was the most impactful course for me. While several classes guided me in the development of my Capstone project, this course provided the strongest foundation and pathway for me to develop my program for advancing dual credit programs among economically disadvantaged students. Likewise, I enjoyed Foundations of Public Service with Dean Susan Hoffpauir, as this course established the academic framework for the concepts surrounding public service.
What skills did you learn at the Clinton School that you still put to use in your job or life today?
Thinking and planning strategically are the most important skills I continue to use in my current job. With a forward-thinking outlook, planning and programs become more clear during development as we consider goals and strategic objectives. These are valuable skills as I assist the school district in communicating about “telling its story” as well as a significant facility investment to address rapid growth in this suburban community southwest of Fort Worth.
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