Jessie Ryan serves as the Associate Director for the Campaign for College Opportunity. Ryan is responsible for outreach, advocacy, and policy efforts statewide.  She is based out of the Campaign's Modesto office at the Great Valley Center.

Prior to her position as Associate Director, Ryan served as the Campaign's Central Valley Director from 2005-2008.  Before joining the Campaign, Ryan was a Circuit Rider for the Great Valley Center's Community-based Assistance Programs (CAPs) working to support activities and organizations that promote the economic, social, and environmental well-being of California's Great Central Valley.  Serving as a technical advisor on local issues throughout the 19-county region, Ryan provided extensive outreach to rural and linguistically isolated communities.

Ryan was a graduate of the Institute for Developing Emerging Area Leaders (IDEAL) Fellowship program, which is dedicated to engaging a diverse group of valley stakeholders in strengthening effective public policy decision-making.  In 2007, Ryan graduated from Leadership Modesto - a program offered by the Modesto Chamber of Commerce and developed to identify and encourage area leaders to assume greater leadership roles in the region.  She was featured on the cover of the Progress magazine commemorating the program's 25 year anniversary.  Ryan was also selected to represent the valley in the Pew Partnership's LeadershipPlenty - a program designed to teach participants civic skills such as taking action, managing conflict, building partnerships, and engaging diverse communities in creating long-term positive community change.

Ryan attended Sacramento City College, was the recipient of a Kelly Broadcasting scholarship, and holds her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Electronic Communications from San Francisco State University.

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