News & Events / IHEP Welcomes Two Acclaimed Education Leaders as New Board Members

IHEP Welcomes Two Acclaimed Education Leaders as New Board Members

Published May 13, 2014
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Washington, D.C., Feb. 9, 2010—The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), an independent, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to access and success in postsecondary education around the world, recently named two new board members. The organization’s nine-member board now includes Cheryl D. Blanco, vice president for special projects, Southern Regional Education Board and Arthur L. “Art” Coleman, managing partner and co-founder, EducationCounsel LLC, an affiliate of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP.

Prior to her current role, Blanco held senior positions at the Arecibo Technological University College, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, Florida Postsecondary Education Planning Commission, TERI, University of Puerto Rico, and Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. Blanco's career has focused primarily on higher education policy and research and the connections between postsecondary and K-12 education.

Coleman has an extensive background in providing legal, policy, strategic planning, and advocacy services to educators throughout the country. He focuses on issues related to 21st century education reform efforts, including those focused on college and career ready policies and on pipeline issues that address key questions of equal access and educational diversity. Earlier in his career, he served as senior policy advisor to the assistant secretary for civil rights and then deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

“These two accomplished individuals are excellent additions to our board of directors, and we welcome their expertise and insights,” said IHEP President Michelle Asha Cooper. “Art and Cheryl are both exceptional higher education leaders and bring a deep understanding of the access and success needs that are at the heart of IHEP’s mission and vision.”

The IHEP Board of Directors was established to manage fiduciary responsibilities as well as to establish policies that help to further the organization's growing research portfolio and programmatic initiatives. The team consists of committed individuals who care deeply about the organization’s mission of increasing access and success in postsecondary education around the world through unique research and innovative programs that inform key decision makers who shape public policy and support economic and social development.

Other board members include Gwendolyn Dungy, executive director, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators; Augustine Gallego, chancellor emeritus, San Diego Community College District; Catherine Milton, consultant; Laura W. Perna, associate professor, higher education management program, University of Pennsylvania; Richard Staufenberger, managing director-Washington and director, Office of Stakeholder Accountability, Save The Children; and Gregory A. Winfield, president, Winfield Management. The IHEP Board of Directors is chaired by Kathy Isaacson, strategic planning specialist and communications consultant, Strategic Engagement, LLC.

For more information about the IHEP Board of Directors, visit the organization’s Web site at www.ihep.org.