Assistant Secretary Brenda Dann-Messier, who heads the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, will address the National College Transition Network's seventh annual Effective Transitions in Adult Education Conference 2013 Thursday in Warwick, R.I.
Dann-Messier will deliver remarks at a luncheon opening the conference where she will focus on the Education Department's priorities in adult education, transitions to postsecondary education and training, and financial aid tools for adult learners.
As assistant secretary, Dann-Messier administers the Education Department's programs in adult, career and technical education. She is also serving as acting assistant secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education.
Before joining the department, Dann-Messier spent a decade as president of Dorcas Place Adult and Family Learning Center, a community-based adult education agency in Providence. She has also been a member of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education and chaired its Academic and Student Affairs Subcommittee.