U.S. Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter will visit Southern New Hampshire University’s College for America in Manchester, on Thursday, June 20. She will hold roundtables with students enrolled in the program, government leaders and employer partners involved in defining workplace needs and supporting student success. The discussions will focus on competency-based education, career pathways and the value of learning institutions such as College for America. Kanter also will meet with College for America’s senior leadership team overseeing the program. The events will be closed press, but Kanter will hold a media availability after the events.
College for America, an online program, helps nontraditional students earn associate’s degrees. The program, which assesses student learning through competency-based education, was recently granted eligibility to participate in the federal student aid program under the direct assessment provisions of the Higher Education Act. Southern New Hampshire University’s College for America is the first institution to be granted eligibility under this provision, about which clarifying guidance was issued in March of this year.