Welcome to the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for the overall direction, supervision, and coordination of all activities of the Department and is the principal adviser to the President on federal policies, programs, and activities related to education in the U.S.
A number of committees and other groups assist and advise the U.S. Department of Education in carrying out its mission. Comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable of education in elementary and secondary schools or postsecondary and adult education institutions, these groups provide valuable guidance to the Department on policy and program issues. The President appoints Commissions to advise him on matters of national importance, including education. Additionally, the Secretary of Education establishes Commissions that advise both the President and the Department of Education.
CFBNP promotes partnerships to serve people in need by building bridges between the federal government and nonprofit organizations.
This White House Initiative was created to strengthen the nation by improving educational outcomes for Black Americans of all ages.
Focuses on advancing educational equity and economic opportunity for Latino and Hispanic students, families, and communities.
Dedicated to a Government-wide policymaking effort to eliminate barriers HBCUs face in providing the highest-quality education to students.
Supports activities that will expand educational opportunities and improve education outcomes for all American Indian and Alaska Native students.
Mission
The Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) Capital Financing Advisory Board provides advice and counsel to the Secretary and the designated bonding authority as to the most effective and efficient means of implementing construction financing on African American college campuses, and advises the Congress of the United States regarding the progress made in implementing this part of the legislation. The Advisory Board shall meet with the Secretary at least twice each year to advise as to the capital needs of historically Black colleges and universities, how those needs can be met through the program authorized by this part of the legislation, and what additional steps might be taken to improve the operation and implementation of the construction financing program.
Members
- Dr. C. Reynold Verret, President
Xavier University of Louisiana
Appointed 04/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a private HBCU - Dr. David Hall, President
University of the Virgin Islands
Appointed 04/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a public HBCU - Dr. Dwight J. Fennell, Sr., President
Texas College
Appointed 04/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a private HBCU - Mr. David K. Sheppard, Chief Legal Officer & Chief of Staff
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Appointed 3/7/2019
Term expires upon tenure of position of the President of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund - Dr. Lezli Baskerville, President & CEO
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
Term expires upon tenure of position of President of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education - Mr. Lodriguez Murray, Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Government Affairs
United Negro College Fund
Appointed 11/27/2017
Term expires upon tenure of position of Dr. Michael Lomax as President of the United Negro College Fund - Colonel Alexander Conyers (Retired), President
South Carolina State University
Appointed 4/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a public HBCU - Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., President
Alabama State University
Appointed 4/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a public HBCU - Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President & CEO
Morehouse School of Medicine
Appointed 4/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a private HBCU - Dr. Dietra Trent, Executive Director
White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Term expires upon tenure of position Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges
and Universities
Meetings
| Date: | Monday, November 13, 2023 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Eastern Time |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Lyndon Baines Johnson Building 400 Maryland Avenue SW, First Floor Washington, DC 20202 |
- Federal Register
- Agenda PDF (122K)
- Membership PDF (107K )
- November 13, 2023 Minutes - Synopsis PDF (153K)
- Director’s Report, November 2023 PDF (177K)
- Transcript PDF (891K)
| Date: | Wednesday, September 19, 2018 |
| Time: | 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Eastern Time |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Lyndon Baines Johnson Building 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 1W128 Washington, DC 20202 |
- Federal Register Notice PDF (195K)
- Agenda PDF (14K)
- Membership PDF (88K)
- Director's Report, September 2018 PDF (30K)
| Date: | Tuesday, April 3, 2018 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time |
| Address: | Room 313 (Bowden Alumni Center) Sutton Learning Center Building St. Philip’s College 1801 Martin Luther King Drive San Antonio, Texas 78203 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Documents PDF (228K)
- Draft Minutes PDF (78K)
| Date: | Saturday, December 2, 2017 |
| Time: | 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Central Standard Time |
| Address: | White Rock Rooms 1-2, Level 5 Omni Hotel 555 South Lamar Street Dallas, TX 75202 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Agenda PDF (92K)
- Membership PDF (101K)
- May 18, 2015 Minutes - Synopsis PDF (33K)
- Director's Report, December 2017 PDF (29K)
- 2015 Response to September 24, 2012, CFAB Recommendations PDF (17K)
- Transcript PDF (813K)
| Date: | Monday, May 18, 2015 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Address: | Xavier University of New Orleans The Convocation Annex 7800 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA 70125 |
- Federal Register Notice | PDF
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (547K)
| Date: | Monday, September 24, 2012 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Board Room 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (234K) | PDF (277K)
| Date: | Friday, January 20, 2012 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Board Room 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (495K) | PDF (889K)
| Date: | Friday, July 30, 2010 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Board Room 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (315K) | PDF (141K)
| Date: | Friday, December 12, 2008 |
| Time: | 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Board Room 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (742K) | PDF (356K)
| Date: | Friday, July 11, 2008 |
| Time: | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. |
| Address: | Wyndham Grand Resort Pelican Room 6000 Rio Mar Boulevard Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 91203 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (553K) | PDF (216K)
| Date: | Friday, November 30, 2007 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Address: | Clark Atlanta University Thomas W. Cole Science Research University Center First Floor Boardroom 223 James P. Brawley Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30314 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (676K) | PDF (248K)
| Date: | Friday, April 20, 2007 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Address: | Xavier University University Center Building 1 Drexel Drive New Orleans, Louisiana 70125 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (629K) | PDF (216K)
For more information on the Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Advisory Board, contact Don E. Watson, Executive Director, at (202) 453-6166. Additional information is also available at these Web sites:
The International Affairs Office provides overall guidance and coordination of the Department’s international engagement.
Welcome to the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for the overall direction, supervision, and coordination of all activities of the Department and is the principal adviser to the President on federal policies, programs, and activities related to education in the U.S.
A number of committees and other groups assist and advise the U.S. Department of Education in carrying out its mission. Comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable of education in elementary and secondary schools or postsecondary and adult education institutions, these groups provide valuable guidance to the Department on policy and program issues. The President appoints Commissions to advise him on matters of national importance, including education. Additionally, the Secretary of Education establishes Commissions that advise both the President and the Department of Education.
CFBNP promotes partnerships to serve people in need by building bridges between the federal government and nonprofit organizations.
This White House Initiative was created to strengthen the nation by improving educational outcomes for Black Americans of all ages.
Focuses on advancing educational equity and economic opportunity for Latino and Hispanic students, families, and communities.
Dedicated to a Government-wide policymaking effort to eliminate barriers HBCUs face in providing the highest-quality education to students.
Supports activities that will expand educational opportunities and improve education outcomes for all American Indian and Alaska Native students.
Mission
The Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) Capital Financing Advisory Board provides advice and counsel to the Secretary and the designated bonding authority as to the most effective and efficient means of implementing construction financing on African American college campuses, and advises the Congress of the United States regarding the progress made in implementing this part of the legislation. The Advisory Board shall meet with the Secretary at least twice each year to advise as to the capital needs of historically Black colleges and universities, how those needs can be met through the program authorized by this part of the legislation, and what additional steps might be taken to improve the operation and implementation of the construction financing program.
Members
- Dr. C. Reynold Verret, President
Xavier University of Louisiana
Appointed 04/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a private HBCU - Dr. David Hall, President
University of the Virgin Islands
Appointed 04/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a public HBCU - Dr. Dwight J. Fennell, Sr., President
Texas College
Appointed 04/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a private HBCU - Mr. David K. Sheppard, Chief Legal Officer & Chief of Staff
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Appointed 3/7/2019
Term expires upon tenure of position of the President of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund - Dr. Lezli Baskerville, President & CEO
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
Term expires upon tenure of position of President of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education - Mr. Lodriguez Murray, Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Government Affairs
United Negro College Fund
Appointed 11/27/2017
Term expires upon tenure of position of Dr. Michael Lomax as President of the United Negro College Fund - Colonel Alexander Conyers (Retired), President
South Carolina State University
Appointed 4/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a public HBCU - Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., President
Alabama State University
Appointed 4/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a public HBCU - Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President & CEO
Morehouse School of Medicine
Appointed 4/20/2022
Term expires 9/30/2024
Representative of a private HBCU - Dr. Dietra Trent, Executive Director
White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Term expires upon tenure of position Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges
and Universities
Meetings
| Date: | Monday, November 13, 2023 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Eastern Time |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Lyndon Baines Johnson Building 400 Maryland Avenue SW, First Floor Washington, DC 20202 |
- Federal Register
- Agenda PDF (122K)
- Membership PDF (107K )
- November 13, 2023 Minutes - Synopsis PDF (153K)
- Director’s Report, November 2023 PDF (177K)
- Transcript PDF (891K)
| Date: | Wednesday, September 19, 2018 |
| Time: | 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Eastern Time |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Lyndon Baines Johnson Building 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 1W128 Washington, DC 20202 |
- Federal Register Notice PDF (195K)
- Agenda PDF (14K)
- Membership PDF (88K)
- Director's Report, September 2018 PDF (30K)
| Date: | Tuesday, April 3, 2018 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time |
| Address: | Room 313 (Bowden Alumni Center) Sutton Learning Center Building St. Philip’s College 1801 Martin Luther King Drive San Antonio, Texas 78203 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Documents PDF (228K)
- Draft Minutes PDF (78K)
| Date: | Saturday, December 2, 2017 |
| Time: | 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Central Standard Time |
| Address: | White Rock Rooms 1-2, Level 5 Omni Hotel 555 South Lamar Street Dallas, TX 75202 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Agenda PDF (92K)
- Membership PDF (101K)
- May 18, 2015 Minutes - Synopsis PDF (33K)
- Director's Report, December 2017 PDF (29K)
- 2015 Response to September 24, 2012, CFAB Recommendations PDF (17K)
- Transcript PDF (813K)
| Date: | Monday, May 18, 2015 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Address: | Xavier University of New Orleans The Convocation Annex 7800 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA 70125 |
- Federal Register Notice | PDF
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (547K)
| Date: | Monday, September 24, 2012 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Board Room 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (234K) | PDF (277K)
| Date: | Friday, January 20, 2012 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Board Room 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (495K) | PDF (889K)
| Date: | Friday, July 30, 2010 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Board Room 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (315K) | PDF (141K)
| Date: | Friday, December 12, 2008 |
| Time: | 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Address: | U.S. Department of Education Board Room 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (742K) | PDF (356K)
| Date: | Friday, July 11, 2008 |
| Time: | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. |
| Address: | Wyndham Grand Resort Pelican Room 6000 Rio Mar Boulevard Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 91203 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (553K) | PDF (216K)
| Date: | Friday, November 30, 2007 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Address: | Clark Atlanta University Thomas W. Cole Science Research University Center First Floor Boardroom 223 James P. Brawley Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30314 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (676K) | PDF (248K)
| Date: | Friday, April 20, 2007 |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Address: | Xavier University University Center Building 1 Drexel Drive New Orleans, Louisiana 70125 |
- Federal Register Notice
- Minutes of Board Meeting MS Word (629K) | PDF (216K)
For more information on the Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Advisory Board, contact Don E. Watson, Executive Director, at (202) 453-6166. Additional information is also available at these Web sites:
The International Affairs Office provides overall guidance and coordination of the Department’s international engagement.
See the list of key policy letters signed by the Secretary of Education or the Deputy Secretary as well as other important policy documents.
Find Commitments to Action using our searchable database or by clicking one of our key focus areas.
Highlighting the ongoing efforts that are taking place across the country to support Latino educational attainment and excellence.
Our Locations
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20202
