(KLZA)-- From his days as a high school teacher and coach through his time as a school administrator and beyond, Jack Moles has always been dedicated to educating and advancing young people.

As a new member of the Peru State College Foundation - a private non-profit organization dedicated to generating, managing, and providing private funds for Nebraska's first college - Moles brings a wealth of knowledge about what young people need to access and achieve a quality, affordable education.

Moles now resides in Lincoln with his wife Shelley. His three-year term on the all-volunteer Peru State College Foundation Board began January 1st.

A native of Nebraska City, Moles graduated from Peru State in 1980 and embarked on his career. His first stop was Bartley, Neb., in Red Willow County in western Nebraska, teaching social studies and coaching volleyball, basketball, and track and field.

After 10 years in that capacity, Moles moved into administration, serving Bartley as principal for two years. He relocated to Amherst as superintendent for the 1995-96 school year before heading back to southeast Nebraska as superintendent of Nemaha Valley Public Schools in Cook.

Moles held that position from 1996 through 2007, when Nemaha Valley merged with the newly-created Johnson County Central Public Schools in Tecumseh. He was named as its first superintendent and stayed in that role for 11 years.

In 2018, Moles was selected as executive director for the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, a position he holds today. The group serves 224 schools and an estimated 89,000 students in rural schools across Nebraska, as well as Educational Service Units and the three state colleges in 90 counties and 25 legislative districts across Nebraska.

Moles has always remained engaged with Peru State throughout his career, regularly attending college events and supporting various activities. His years in education give him a strong perspective on the role the Nebraska State Colleges play in educating Nebraskans across the state.

Moles will bring his experience and energy to a volunteer board that supports Peru State through charitable gifts that support student scholarships and campus programs. The Foundation has approximately $23 million in assets.