Rodd Monts is the Director of State Policy at SchoolHouse Connection, where he leads national efforts to advance state laws and policies that improve educational access, stability, and opportunity for children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Since joining SHC, Rodd has played a leading role in advancing state-level legislative and policy reforms to strengthen PreK–12 and postsecondary access and supports, as well as expand protections for youth experiencing homelessness. Working collaboratively with state legislators, state administrators, education agencies, and advocacy organizations, he has helped shape and secure enacted legislation, policy guidance, and administrative reforms in numerous states. These efforts have removed barriers to school enrollment and graduation, expanded access to higher education, strengthened homeless liaison systems, broadened eligibility definitions, and improved cross-agency coordination. Rodd also directs the engagement of SHC’s advocates and partners in legislative advocacy and implementation efforts.
Prior to joining SHC, Rodd spent more than a decade in policy, advocacy and coalition building with nonprofit organizations in Michigan, where he helped lead successful statewide reforms, including the passage of the Rethink Discipline Act, and other rights and education policy reforms. His experience spans early care, education equity, juvenile justice, immigrants’ rights, voting rights, and racial justice advocacy.
Rodd received the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Excellence in Advocacy Award for his work on behalf of youth and families. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and master’s degrees from Wayne State University and Marygrove College.