Driven by the desire to make an impact, Mayor Teresa Jacobs has always been at the forefront of change in the Central Florida community and after serving eight years as Orange County mayor, she will be continuing her efforts as chair of the Orange County School Board. When announcing her candidacy for the school board, Jacobs stated that she wanted to work with officials in Tallahassee to secure better funding and resources for Orange County Public Schools. She has maintained a strong interest in empowering youth and creating a sustainable workforce.
Mayor Jacobs served as Consortium Chair of CareerSource Central Florida since 2012 and under her leadership, CSCF was able to effectively reposition themselves as Central Florida’s top destination for talent. Mayor Jacobs has also contributed to creating a “culture of compassion” with her efforts in reducing homelessness, taking special interest in youth development and her notable response to the LGBT community following the Pulse nightclub massacre.
In spring of 2018, Mayor Jacobs implemented the Leadership, Employment and Development Success Program, OCFL LEADS, as part of her focus on local youth and student success. The OCFL LEADS program is a partnership with Orange County’s Community Action Division and CSCF; it offers area high school students the opportunity to engage first-hand with Orange County’s growing vocational workforce, introducing them to a network of talented technical professionals.
Mayor Jacobs’ work with CSCF and the Central Florida community will leave an imprint for years to come. Though she will be missed on the Consortium, we wish Mayor Jacobs all the best and cannot wait to see what extraordinary things she does with the Orange County School Board.
