The Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Contreras as the MSD Head of School, effective August 18, 2025. The selection follows a comprehensive search process that included community forums and interviews conducted on July 15-16th at the MSD campus.
Jessica brings over 17 years of distinguished experience serving Deaf individuals from adolescence through adulthood, including those with additional and complex disabilities. Her extensive professional background encompasses K-12 education, residential life, mental health services in both school and clinical settings, legal systems accessibility, and leadership roles across government, nonprofit, higher education, research, policy, and committee work.
A second-generation alumna of Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (CSDB) and proud Deaf Hispanic woman, Contreras is passionate about empowering the next generation of Deaf students through mentoring. Her academic and research expertise focuses on psychometrically rigorous methodologies for assessing American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency, understanding language development in signing individuals, and promoting the advancement of Deaf scientists. These research efforts have documented critical disparities in education, health, legal, and language access through intentional community engagement.
“Jessica’s vision, experience, and deep commitment to the Deaf community will advance MSD’s mission of providing exceptional educational opportunities for our students,” said Rebecca McIntyre, Assistant Director of the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education. “Her leadership will help ensure that MSD continues to be a place where Deaf students thrive through academic and social excellence and every student strives to reach their full potential.”
Contreras’s leadership philosophy for transforming Deaf children’s academic success is anchored in three core principles: evidence-based policy, transparent decision making and communication, and fostering shared ownership. “During my visit, I was truly inspired to see the school and services Deaf children can receive at Michigan School for the Deaf. I am honored to serve and become a part of Michigan’s collaborative ecosystem to transform Deaf students future. Thank you to every individual who played a role in this process -students, parents, staff, community, state, and Innivee strategies. I look forward to working with each and every one of you this academic school year and beyond.” Contreras stated.
The selection process involved extensive community engagement, including focus groups, surveys, and public forums. The search committee comprised MSD students, parents, staff, teachers, and representatives from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
MDE partnered with Innivee Strategies as search consultant to conduct comprehensive organizational assessments, extensive community interviews, and detailed leadership profiling. This collaborative approach enabled the identification of a leader whose qualifications and values align with MSD’s distinctive culture and educational mission.
About Michigan School for the Deaf
MSD is a bilingual bicultural Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program, with a residential component. MSD is a state of Michigan DHH program operated by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). MSD provides a language rich environment in the least restrictive environment for students who are DHH, guaranteeing each student a free appropriate public education (FAPE). MSD ensures academic and social excellence – rich in ASL and English literacy for all students from infancy to graduation. MSD staff work collectively to empower students with a positive Deaf identity so when they graduate from MSD each student possess knowledge, confidence, and leadership to become contributing citizens in a diverse, technological, and democratic society.
About Innivee Strategies
Innivee Strategies is a Deaf-led consulting firm that partners with mission-driven organizations to align leadership, governance, and strategy with community values and long-term vision. Our services include executive search and transition, effective governance, strategic planning, organizational assessment, leadership development, and guided facilitation. Learn more at www.inniveestrategies.com.
