UNCF Supports Nomination of Dr. John King for U.S. Secretary of Education
Media Contact:
Ashlei Stevens
UNCF Communications
202.810.0226
ashlei.stevens@uncf.org
WASHINGTON—Today, UNCF (United Negro College Fund), and its 37-member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), express strong support for the nomination of Dr. John King to be the next U.S. Secretary of Education.
“With his compelling life story, Dr. King is a living testament to the power of education to transform lives,” said UNCF president and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax. “An inspirational role model for students, he also has been an effective and passionate champion─as a teacher, principal, state education superintendent and acting U.S. Secretary of Education─for strong public schools, colleges and universities throughout his career. We look forward to working with him on behalf of HBCUs, their students and all Americans who are working diligently to realize their dreams of a college education.”
UNCF believes that Dr. King will devote the attention, commitment, and resources needed for educational equity and excellence in America in his new role the nation’s top educational leader, should his nomination be confirmed.
We applaud Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Labor, Education and Pensions (HELP), and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member, for scheduling Dr. King’s nomination hearing today. We urge the HELP Committee and the entire U.S. Senate to move quickly to confirm Dr. John King.
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About UNCF
UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.