Washington D.C., Nov. 21, 2017 -- The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) today announced the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors. IHEP welcomes Kristin Conklin, founding partner of HCM Strategists; Laura Cronin, senior associate at Booz Allen Hamilton; José Luis Cruz, president of Herbert H. Lehman College of The City University of New York; Jacob Fraire, president and chief executive officer of the Texas Association of Community Colleges; and Victor Kuo Ph.D., director of strategic planning and research at Seattle Colleges and founder of VK Global Advising.
"The talent and unique perspective of each new board member will strengthen IHEP’s understanding of today’s most pressing policy challenges," said IHEP President Michelle Asha Cooper, Ph.D. “The entire IHEP team looks forward to working with our newest board members, all of whom are committed to our mission of increasing access and success for all students in postsecondary education.”
The newest board members represent an array of expertise and will help to enhance IHEP’s growth as a postsecondary policy innovator and advocate.
- Kristin Conklin is a founding partner of HCM Strategists and a nationally renowned expert in higher education policy and strategy development. She previously developed the Lumina Foundation’s Strategy Labs, which provides nonpartisan advice on how to increase higher education attainment. She has held leadership positions at the National Governors Association and the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.
- Laura Cronin is a senior associate at Booz Allen Hamilton. She is an organizational transformation leader on the firm’s Air Force team, providing Strategic Planning, Organizational Design, Process Improvement, Change Management, and Project Management and Implementation expertise to multiple engagements.
- José Luis Cruz is the third president of the Herbert H. Lehman College of The City University of New York. Previously, President Cruz served as provost of California State University, Fullerton. He is a former vice president of Higher Education Policy and Practice at The Education Trust in Washington, D.C. and a former vice president of Student Affairs for the University of Puerto Rico system. He also serves on the board of directors of The Education Trust.
- Jacob Fraire serves as president and chief executive officer of the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC). Mr. Fraire previously served as the director of legislation and policy analysis for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and as vice president of philanthropy at Texas Guaranteed Student Loans (TG). He served on the board of directors of Grantmakers for Education, and on the Committee on Measures of Student Success in 2010.
- Victor Kuo, Ph.D., is the Director of Strategic Planning and Research at Seattle Colleges and founder of VK Global Advising. Previously, Dr. Kuo was an evaluation officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a research associate in Evaluation and Learning Services at the David & Lucile Packard Foundation. Dr. Kuo also serves on the Board of Directors of the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund.
The IHEP Board of Directors manages fiduciary responsibilities and establishes policies that further the organization’s growing research, advocacy and program portfolio.
Two long-serving board members – Michele Siqueiros, executive director of the Campaign for College Opportunity; and Neil Horikoshi, president and executive director of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund – have concluded their terms of service to IHEP. Siqueiros joined the board in 2010 and later served as board chair. Horikoshi joined in 2012 and most recently served as vice chair of the board.
"Ms. Siqueiros and Mr. Horikoshi have been invaluable members of the IHEP Board of Directors,” said IHEP Board Chair Rob Anderson. “Both routinely offered vital insights about the postsecondary access and success challenges facing low-income, first generation and minority students. I am grateful to both for serving as thoughtful stewards and effective IHEP ambassadors.”
Other board members include Lande Ajose, executive director of California Competes; Rob Anderson, president of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association; Daren Briscoe, most recently senior vice president at GMMB, Charlene Dukes, Ph.D., president of Prince George’s Community College; Stella Flores, associate professor of higher education at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University; Ericka Miller, vice president at Isaacson Miller; and Cheryl A. Oldham, vice president of education policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and vice president, of the Education and Workforce Program at U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.