Distinguished Alumni Award
Jill Underly, a proud alumna of Indiana University Bloomington’s College of Arts and Sciences, is a passionate advocate for public education and a dedicated champion for students, teachers, and schools. First elected in April 2021 and re-elected in April 2025, she serves as Wisconsin’s state superintendent of public instruction, a statewide elected position with a four-year term. In this role, she brings decades of leadership experience and a deep commitment to equity and excellence in education.
Underly graduated from Munster High School in Munster, Ind. In addition to her bachelor’s degree with honors from the College, she went on to receive a master’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, and both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Throughout her career—as a teacher, school administrator, higher-education lecturer, and district superintendent—Underly has remained dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of background or zip code, have access to a world-class education that prepares them for future success.
