Fall 2017: NACE Staff Meet With Public Policy and Higher Ed Leaders

NACE staff met with a variety of leaders in the public policy and higher education arena in Washington, D.C., to provide insight into issues affecting the world of higher education and work, and to build and strengthen relationships.

On September 18 and 19, Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director, and Edwin Koc, NACE director of research, public policy, and legislative affairs, met with the following to discuss a range of issues.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Esther Brimmer, executive director and chief executive officer
Jill Welch, deputy executive director, public policy and advocacy
Sheilah Schulte, deputy executive director, leadership and professional services
Joanne Ng Hartman, senior director, IEM-ISS services
Discussion focused on career readiness competencies, work and student visas, and DACA and DREAMer issues.

American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)
Lynn Pasquerella, president
Terrel Rhodes, vice president for quality, curriculum, and assessment; and executive director of VALUE
The two associations discussed their respective research efforts and the potential for future collaboration.

Association of Institutional Research (AIR)
Christine Keller, executive director
NACE and AIR are currently working together to support institutional efforts to collect and report student outcomes, and explored options for expanding their joint efforts.

Office of Senator Robert Casey (D-PA)
Julia Cinquegrani, legislative staff
NACE staff provided an overview of NACE and discussed public policy related to higher education, immigration, and innovation.

Office of Senator Patrick Toomey (R-PA)
Halie Craig, legislative staff
This discussion also focused on the role NACE plays and public policy initiatives related to higher education, immigration, and innovation.

U.S. Department of Education
Kim Ford, deputy assistant secretary for career, technical, and adult education
NACE staff provided DOE staff with information about NACE’s efforts around graduate outcomes and career readiness. In addition, NACE staff learned more about the joint efforts of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor around apprenticeship programs.

Department of Homeland Security
Trent Frazier, executive director, Office of Academic Engagement
Discussion focused on immigration-related issues, notably work visas and the importance of the DACA and DREAMers programs. In addition, the meeting included discussion about recruitment opportunities at DHS.

White House Domestic Policy Council
Robert Goad, education policy adviser
This wide-ranging discussion covered higher education policy, immigration, career readiness, and higher education reauthorization legislation.

Council for Global Immigration
Lynn Shotwell, executive director
Rebecca Peters, director of government affairs
In addition to discussing immigration and international worker/international student issues, Mackes and Shotwell discussed how their respective associations might collaborate on a briefing for lawmakers and public policy leaders.

U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration
Ondray Harris, senior adviser to the secretary on employment and apprenticeships
Amy Firestine, program analyst, Office of Apprenticeship
Laura Ginsberg, division chief, programs and strategic partnership
Career readiness competencies, overtime rules, and the DOL’s next steps with regard to apprenticeships were among the key items discussed.

Posted November 2, 2017