Dive Brief:
- James Kvaal, deputy director of the Domestic Policy Council and former deputy secretary of education, is leaving the White House for a position in the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy.
- Inside Higher Ed reports Kvaal has had a hand in virtually every major higher education initiative of Obama’s administration, including the overhaul of the federal student loan system, the gainful employment rule, the College Scorecard, and the America’s College Promise program.
- Kvaal counts the change to direct student lending, which cut out banks and other private lenders from guaranteed student loans, as one of the greatest accomplishments of the administration, along with increases to Pell Grants and the creation of the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
Dive Insight:
As President Barack Obama's finalyear in office winds down, his top advisers will begin planning their next steps and leaving for new opportunities. Arne Duncan, one of the longest-serving and arguably most influential education secretaries, stepped down at the end of the 2015, making room for Dr. John B. King Jr., who was originally slated to remain an “acting” secretary for the remainder of Obama's final term but is now facing a nomination. Obama announced his intent to nominate King last month, and the Senate education committee gave its stamp of approval earlier this week, which will send the debate to the Senate floor.
