Jason Garber | Hopedale, IL

Believing that higher education can be life-changing, Jason Garber has dedicated 14 years to helping students enroll. He currently serves as the Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Services at Methodist College-Carle Health. More than 50% of Methodist College’s students are first generation college attendees, with 46% considered low-to-moderate income. Dr. Kayla Banks, Chancellor of Methodist College, commends Jason for improving access to higher education for all. “Through Jason's leadership in enrollment management, Methodist College has experienced incredible growth in student enrollment in number of students and geographic expansion of recruitment reach.” Even with exponential growth in enrollment, student access to support services kept pace, demonstrating Jason’s exceptional change management skills.

Jason grew up in central Illinois and graduated from Hartsburg-Emden High School in 2005. Dreaming of playing in NBA, he soon realized that career was unattainable and focused on finding a new path. “My college experience really changed my life,” writes Jason, “and now in my career field I am able to provide that life-changing opportunity to others.”

After working at Lincoln College for more than ten years, he was devastated to hear that the school would be closing in just three months. How would he provide for his wife and infant son? “This challenge would impact my life forever as it landed me at Methodist College and moved my family to our new home. It also pushed me in my career to take on new leadership opportunities, and I have been able to grow in this role thanks to Methodist College and Carle Health and their trust in me.”

Inspired by his grandfather, Emden’s Fire Chief of 36 years, Garber also served for 18 years in Emden’s volunteer fire department as a firefighter and first responder until 2023 when he and his family moved. Jason describes his grandfather as “resilient, dedicated and one of the most compassionate people I know. He is a DIYer and someone who is extremely hardworking. I have tried to follow in those footsteps that he laid for me.”

Jason is husband to Danielle, his wife of seven years, and father of two boys, Derek (4) and Luke (2). They enjoy the quietness of small-town living, playing at the park and cheering for their favorite teams, the University of Illinois, the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Jason notes his favorite spot in central Illinois is “any golf course” especially Metamora Fields, and recommends everyone stop by his “favorite hidden gem,” Micki’s in Hopedale for their famous ribeye.