Assistant Secretary Brenda Dann-Messier, who heads the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, will participate in a “Conversation about Immigration Reform and STEM Graduates” Friday at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The event is one of over 70 activities taking place throughout the U.S. Friday spotlighting immigration reform.
On hand with Dann-Messier will be officials from Georgetown, as well as international graduate students from the various STEM fields of education, who will share their perspectives on immigration.
Nationally, the day of action is being organized by the Partnership for a New American Economy and the National Immigration Forum.
The presidents of Arizona State University, Miami Dade College and Cornell University recently sent an open letter to their fellow college and university leaders, urging them to use Friday as a day to “address our respective campuses about the role of immigration in driving innovation and creating American jobs, and the frustrations we experience when U.S. immigration law impedes our ability to attract and retain the world's top students and researchers.”
As assistant secretary, Dann-Messier administers the Education Department's programs in adult, career and technical education, as well as community colleges and correctional education.