U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. will head a list of senior education officials in the government and academia in addressing a “White House Summit on Advancing Postsecondary Diversity and Inclusion” Friday at the White House. The event builds on the Administration’s efforts to expand college opportunity for all and examines the challenges and steps institutions can take in achieving that goal.
Among the topics covered will be the impact of the 2013 Supreme Court decision, Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, which held that colleges and universities have a compelling interest in the educational benefits of a diverse student body and can lawfully pursue that interest in their admissions programs.
Conference highlights include:
- 9 a.m. ET – Welcoming remarks by Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Muñoz, Deputy Assistant to the President Roberto J. Rodriguez, and U.S. Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell
- 9:30 a.m. ET – Panel discussion on “Building a Culture of Diversity and Inclusion,” exploring the current legal landscape and emphasizing the roles of students, faculty and administrators in working together to build diverse, inclusive campuses
- 10:15 a.m. ET – Panel discussion on “Research-based Practices and Strategies,” focusing on data-driven approaches to finding what works in ensuring access, promoting student success, and closing completion gaps
- 11 a.m. ET – Panel discussion on “Equity by Design with the Student in Mind,” featuring student voices
- 11:45 a.m. ET – Address by Secretary King on the Administration’s accomplishments and the future challenges to achieving equity in higher education for all
These events will be livestreamed at http://www.wh.gov/live.