Alumni Spotlight: Jill Peddycord Brown ’92

Where do you currently live?
I live in the Pacific Northwest.

What kind of work do you do?
My career has been in public service. I’ve served in three federal agencies, taught in the public school system, and early in my career worked at a nonprofit focused on conflict resolution. I currently work as an executive with the federal government supporting the Federal Aviation Administration’s mission to keep the flying public safe.

Any personal information you’d like to share?
I am married with three stepchildren. I regularly go back to Indiana to visit my parents and my brother and his family. I’m also an avid hiker, backpacker and kiteboarder, and I taught myself to knit a few years ago.

How did you first hear about the Academy?
I read about the Indiana Academy in the Indianapolis Star when I was a sophomore in high school. I remember showing my mom the article and telling her that this was the school for me. This was just before the school first opened, so the application materials were not yet ready. My mom called the school every week until they sent me an application.

What is your greatest memory about your time at the Academy?
I have so many wonderful memories from my time at the Academy – from my roommate, to quirky, brilliant classmates to incredible teachers. I think the one memory that really captures my time there is when I “slipped up” and called the Academy “home”. It was the place where I truly felt like I belonged. It felt like home.

How did the Academy prepare you for your life now?
The superb academics at the Academy as well as living away from parents in a structured environment did a lot to prepare me for college and my career. Even more than that, though, I have taken the experience of belonging and acceptance with me throughout every stage in life. It has been a touchstone for me, grounding me and giving me courage.

How do you stay involved and support the Academy?
The primary way I have supported the Academy over the years is by making annual donations. Most recently, I joined with two other alumni to create an endowed alumni scholarship to help alleviate students’ room and board costs. We want to make sure these costs do not get in the way of any student who merits going to the Academy.