Executive Staff
Jayne Selby-Longnecker, M.Ed.
Owner/Executive Director/CEO
Jayne holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and a Master’s degree in Education (Special Education) from the University of Colorado. She has extensive public education classroom experience, having taught regular classes ranging from grade four up through high school. She also has extensive experience in working in special education in classrooms that were devoted to helping at-risk children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral and learning differences. She began her work with emotional growth private schools in 1986 when she went to work for Hilltop Institute, which was owned by CEDU Education. For 7 years, she was Assistant Director, in charge of Admissions, and eventually became the Director of Hilltop. In 1993, Jayne founded Benchmark Young Adult School. Jayne is married to Don Harper since September 2002. Between them they have 6 grown children and 11 grandchildren. She loves all family activities, including water sports, riding motorcycles and snow skiing.
Joelle Walters, B.A.
Program Director/Certified Life Coach (ACSTH)
Joelle has been with Benchmark Young Adult School for over ten years and has held several positions within the school, including Head Primary Counselor and Staff Supervisor. She began her career with Benchmark as a driver when she was in high school. While attending college, she would assist part-time during school breaks. After graduating from California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in Deaf Studies and Communications Disorders, she began working as a full-time resident counselor. Her strong organizational skills lead her to a position as Primary Counselor, where she restructured and coordinated the Emotional Growth and Independent Living components of the program. Joelle is married to husband Rod and they have two children, Kassidy and Mitchell. Joelle enjoys camping, motorcycle riding, horseback riding, skiing and spending time with her family.
Jim Powell, Ph.D.
Clinical Director
As Clinical Director, Dr. Powell is responsible for clinical assessment, therapy and crisis management. He is directly involved in the admissions process and participates in referral relations and parent communications. Dr. Powell works closely with Benchmark’s Primary Coaching staff throughout the course of all students’ master treatment plans. Dr. Powell has been licensed as a psychotherapist to practice in the state of California since 1979 and is also licensed to practice in the state of Idaho. From 1977-1987, Dr. Powell had a private practice, specializing in adolescents, located in Orange, California. He also served as Clinical Director of Brea Neuropsychiatric Hospital, in Brea, California, during that time. From 1988-2003 he served as Clinical Director of CEDU Mountain Schools, in Running Springs, California. In 2004, Dr. Powell established Powell & Elliott Collaborative, an independent company focused on supporting therapeutic schools and programs. Most recently, Dr. Powell served as Clinical Director for an outdoor wilderness program in Northern Idaho.
Shelley Skaggs, B.A.
Director of Outreach & Admissions
Shelley has been with Benchmark Young Adult School since 1999, coordinating and implementing all of the advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns. Shelley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, with an emphasis on PR, from California State University, San Bernardino. Her experience includes coordinating public affairs and political campaigns. In addition, she worked for over five years in marketing and advertising with a large health care company in Southers California. Shelley and her husband live in Huntington Beach, California and have two boys. Together, they enjoy camping, boating, motorcycle riding and their children’s sporting activities.
