A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

     FOR RELEASE                                  Contact: Ivette Rodriguez      June 17, 1996                                         (202) 401-1576

"Trish McNeil is an experienced leader in the field of vocational and adult education and a strong advocate of career preparation and lifelong learning," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. "She will do an exemplary job of leading our nation in reshaping our schools so that all students achieve challenging academic standards and technical skills, and are prepared for college and careers in the 21st century."

McNeil has served as deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education since 1993, and as acting assistant secretary for the past year.

As assistant secretary, McNeil will serve as the principal adviser to the secretary on matters related to school-to-work opportunities, vocational and adult education and literacy. She will also direct the department's vocational and adult education office.

Prior to joining the department, McNeil was president and owner of a consulting firm, Workforce Policy Associates, which specialized in conducting studies of school-to-work programs and other education and job training initiatives.

She was director for strategic planning and policy development of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, from 1986 - 1990; director and chief executive officer of the National Commission for Employment Policy from 1982 - 1985, and the commission's director for legislation from 1980 - 1982.

McNeil has authored numerous publications and studies on employment and training, including "Preparing Youth for the Information Age: A Federal Role for the 21st Century," published by the Institute for Educational Leadership's American Youth Policy Forum.

She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she majored in political science.