Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier has been confirmed by the Senate as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Vocational and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education.  In this role, she will oversee the administration of high school, career technical and adult education; lifelong learning; community colleges; and workforce and economic development programs across the country.

Dr. Dann-Messier served most recently as the President of Dorcas Place, an Adult and Family Learning Center in Providence, RI which offers individuals educational and job placement services, college preparatory classes and family literacy programs.  She previously served the U.S. Department of Education as Secretary Richard Riley’s Regional Representative for Region I in Boston, MA.  Prior to her work with the Clinton Administration, Dr. Dann-Messier directed two TRIO programs, the Rhode Island Educational Opportunity Center (1987 – 1993) and the Educational Talent Search Program (1991 – 1993) of the Community College of Rhode Island.  Dr. Dann-Messier served as a member of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education and chaired the Academic and Student Affairs subcommittee for the board. 

She received her B.A. and her M.Ed from Rhode Island College and her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Johnson and Wales University.

Tags: assistant secretary, OVAE

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