Event Dates: March 14-24, 2016
Next week, Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. will launch the “College Opportunity Across America” tour to meet with students, professors, and college leaders in three states and Washington, D.C. King will begin in Atlanta on Wednesday, March 16, and continue with visits to Huntsville, Alabama; San Francisco; and Washington, D.C.
Throughout the tour, King will hear from students and campus leaders about innovative strategies that increase access, affordability and positive outcomes for all students – no matter their zip code. He will emphasize the Department’s continued focus on the most important outcome: completing a quality degree at a reasonable cost. Under Secretary Ted Mitchell will also make stops as part of the tour and join King at some of his events.
Over the past seven years, the Administration has reformed our loan system to improve college affordability; increased Pell funding for students with the greatest need; simplified the process for applying for financial aid; developed income-based repayment plans to help students manage their loans; and increased transparency around higher education costs and outcomes to better inform students’ decisions. These actions represent the Administration’s longstanding priority to protect students, families and taxpayers while advancing expanded access, affordability and completion.
However, there’s still much to do to ensure that the United States again leads the world in college completion and that all students can complete quality post-secondary program that do not saddle them with unmanageable debt. This year, the Department will work to advance key budget proposals, including America’s College Promise and to solidify lasting reforms, including Gainful Employment, State Authorization and other important program integrity regulation now in place. Along the tour, stops will highlight Administration priorities ranging from innovative completion strategies to borrower protections to promoting safe and inclusive campuses.
The tour details are as follows. Most events will include a media availability with King, Mitchell and local officials.
EVENT 1
WHO: U.S. Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell
WHAT: Discussion on combating sexual assault on college campuses (Note: The discussion is closed to media but there will be a press availability with Under Secretary Mitchell)
WHEN: Monday, March 14
WHERE: University of San Francisco, San Francisco
EVENT 2
WHO: U.S. Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell
WHAT: Roundtable on diversity and inclusion in higher education (Note: The discussion is closed to media but there will be a press availability with Under Secretary Mitchell)
WHEN: Tuesday, March 15
WHERE: San Francisco
EVENT 3
WHO: Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. and U.S. Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell
WHAT: Campus tour and roundtable discussion with students and counselors on innovation in college completion
WHEN: Wednesday, March 16
WHERE: Georgia State University, Citizen’s Trust Building, 75 Piedmont Ave., N.E., Atlanta
EVENT 4
WHO: Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr.
WHAT: Town hall discussion on the impact of Historically Black College and Universities in meeting the nation’s science, technology, engineering and math needs
WHEN: Wednesday, March 16
WHERE: Alabama A&M University, 4900 Meridian St., Huntsville, Alabama
EVENT 5
WHO: Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr.
WHAT: Press conference call with college reporters about important investments to make college more affordable and student loans easier to repay
WHEN: Friday, March 18
EVENT 6
WHO: Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr.
WHAT: Roundtable on the Department’s efforts to protect borrowers and taxpayers
WHEN: Wednesday, March 23
WHERE: TBD, San Francisco
EVENT 7
WHO: Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. and U.S. Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell
WHAT: Conference on college access and outcomes for Pell Grant-eligible students
WHEN: Thursday, March 24
WHERE: U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C.