June 28, 2024 (Washington D.C.)
This week, the Institute for Educational Leadership joined many groups connected to Capitol Hill in sharing our sadness at the passing of one of our longtime partners Judy Schneider. Judy served many years as a congressional consultant to members of Congress, committees and staff, and to federal government fellowships and other entities.
She was also the anchor speaker for nearly 30 years for IEL’s Washington Policy Seminar (WPS), the capstone event for our Education Policy Fellowship Program. Over those three decades, she led a plenary on policies, procedures, and politics of Capitol Hill, which allowed EPFP Fellows a front row seat to federal policy making and to prepare them for their Hill experiences. Fellows often noted it was their favorite session each year, and enjoyed the useful information she shared as well as her entertaining delivery.
“Judy will be greatly missed,” said IEL Senior Vice President for Strategy, Research, and Policy Dr. Helen Janc Malone. “Her ability to infuse humor while instilling deeper understanding of the complexities of the legislative branch helped thousands of our Education Policy Fellowship Program alumni gain confidence and skills to engage with decision-makers on the Hill but also to take those lessons and apply them on the state and local levels.”
“I had the pleasure of hearing Judy speak at our Washington Policy Seminar shortly after I began my tenure,” shared IEL President Eddie Koen. “It was immediately clear that she had a unique grasp on the inner-workings of the policy process inside Congress, and how to instill that wisdom upon people looking to make a difference. Her impact at WPS and beyond will be felt for many years to come.”
We will continue to honor Judy’s legacy through our dedication to building the advocacy capacity of education leaders at all levels, from across the country. We will remember Judy’s sharp wit and passion for supporting people working to transform systems through policy.