Jobs for America's Graduates

JAG-Missouri empowers students to overcome barriers, graduate from high school, and thrive in their chosen careers.

Contact Us

Follow Us

Chance Cornell

Chance Cornell

Regional Program Manager

Southwest

With over a decade of service in law enforcement, Chance has built his career on protecting and empowering others—both in the community and in the classroom. He served for 11 years in law enforcement in Mount Vernon, Missouri, including seven impactful years as a School Resource Officer. In this role, he not only ensured student safety but also formed strong, positive relationships with youth, becoming a trusted mentor and advocate within the school community.

Chance holds bachelor’s degrees in both Criminal Justice and Elementary Studies, allowing him to uniquely bridge the fields of justice and education. Now serving as the Southwest Regional Manager for JAG-Missouri, Chance brings over two years of experience as a JAG Specialist, where he guided students toward academic, personal, and career success. His real-world experience, compassion, and leadership continue to shape his work as he supports Specialists and programs across the region.

Chance and his wife, Lindsay—who is also a JAG Specialist—have been married for 14 years. Together, they enjoy life with their three children and three grandchildren.

Testimonials

What Our Students Are Saying

Born into a family where addiction was a generational struggle, Destany Massey faced her own battles with substance abuse and a life lacking direction. Determined to break free from the cycle of trauma and hardship, she sought a different path. That path led her to the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates Missouri) program, a turning point she never saw coming. With the unwavering support of the program and her teacher, Destany found purpose, healing, and hope.

“JAG and my teacher literally saved my life,” she shares. Through resilience and determination, Destany overcame addiction, broke the chains of a painful past, and transformed her life into a story of success and the promise of a brighter future.

Destany

JAG-Missouri Graduate

Before I joined JAG, I was lost. JAG provided assistance in pinpointing a career and making steps in order to pursue it. My JAG Specialist motivated me to make connections and to continue my education in the emergency response industry. JAG has changed my life!

Mitchell

JAG-Missouri Graduate

JAG has been a life changer.

JAG pushes us out of our comfort zone. It has truly helped me find my voice. I have learned how to voice my opinions the right way – when to speak and when to listen. Without JAG I have no doubt I would still be living my old life. I wish I could have found my voice sooner, but the important thing now is: I have found it, and I will never let it go.

Bri

JAG-Missouri Graduate

I felt hopeless because no matter what I did, I thought the future I wanted was too far out of reach. I wasn’t smart enough or rich enough to live the life I wanted. Because of this, at the age of 15, I exploded. Everything parents pray their child isn’t doing, I was, or I was trying to. In the midst of this self destruction, the greatest opportunity came up and shook my hand. I went from dropping out to picking up my cap and gown. JAG didn’t save my life, it taught me how to save my own.

Kaleah

JAG-Missouri Graduate