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May 26, 2011

President Obama appoints UW associate vice provost to Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

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Luis Fraga

Luis Fraga

Luis Fraga, associate vice provost for faculty advancement and Russell F. Stark University Professor at the University of Washington, has been appointed to the Presidents Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

The Commission advises the President and the Secretary of Education on matters pertaining to educational attainment in the Hispanic community, including:

  • Educational initiatives to improve opportunities and outcomes for Hispanics;
  • Increasing the participation of Hispanics in programs offered by the Department of Education and other agencies;
  • Engaging the philanthropic, business, nonprofit and education communities in a national dialogue;
  • Establishing partnerships with various groups to meet the administrations policy objectives regarding expanding education opportunities and improved education outcomes for all students.

White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics director Juan Sepúlveda said the Commission will chart ways to increase Hispanic educational attainment, which is important for the countrys economy.

“The Commission will identify ways to strengthen our country. Hispanic students have graduated at lower rates than the rest of the population for years, making Americas progress impossible if they continue to lag behind,” said Sepúlveda. “Strengthening and improving educational excellence in this community isnt just a Hispanic problem. Its a challenge for our entire country.”

Members of the Commission appointed by President Obama represent a variety of sectors, including education, labor, research institutions, corporate and financial institutions, public and private philanthropic organizations, and nonprofit and community-based organizations at the national, state, regional and local levels.

Fraga, who also is professor of political science and director of the Diversity Research Institute, has been at the UW since 2007. Prior to his work at the UW, he was an associate professor at Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Oklahoma. He has edited and published numerous journal articles and authored books on Latino politics, immigration, education, and voting rights policy. He serves on the boards of the Public Education Network, OneAmerica, and New Futures. He received his A.B. from Harvard University, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Rice University.

An oath for the Commission members was administered by Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Thursday, May 26 at the Smithsonian Institution Castle.