Department of Education

Bio, via White House:

If confirmed, Mark Schneider of the District of Columbia will serve as Director of the Institute of Education Science in the Department of Education for a term of six years. Currently, Dr. Schneider is a vice president and an Institute Fellow at the American Institutes for Research and President of College Measures. From 2005-2008, he served as Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. Dr. Schneider is also a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of political science at the State University of New York, Stony Brook. Dr. Schneider is one of the pioneers in measuring the return on the investment that students and taxpayers make in pursuing higher education. Dr. Schneider has been working on increasing schools’ accountability by making data on college productivity and the labor market success of college graduates more publicly available. In 2013, the Chronicle of Higher Education selected him as one of the 10 people who had the most impact on higher education policy that year. Dr. Schneider earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1974. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College, City University of New York.

Bio, via LinkedIn:

Experience concentrated in the fields of law, politics & policy with exposure to marketing/analytics. 8 years ofwork experience with several years in management positions.

Bio, via LinkedIn:

Brandon Sherman is counsel at the Elise Scanlon Law Group in the Higher Education Practice Group. Brandon’s experience includes several years working in higher education law and policy including in the General Counsel’s office at the U.S. Department of Education, and at the Washington, DC offices of Clearly Gottlieb and Paul Weiss. At the U.S. Department of Education, Brandon advised the General Counsel, Senior Department and White House officials on accreditation, congressional affairs, student lending and policy. Brandon was also the Department’s liaison to the White House Counsel’s Office on congressional oversight. Brandon’s practice focuses on advising clients on higher education policy and regulation. He monitors developments in legislation and regulation, providing detailed impact analysis to the firm’s institutional and accreditation clients to assist with their own planning and regulatory compliance. Brandon also assists with drafting comments to federal rulemaking proposals and advises institutions on state authorization and licensing matters. Brandon has experience advising investors and educational institutions regarding the regulatory aspects of transactions. He has been interviewed by Bloomberg LLP regarding the accreditation of foreign medical schools. [email protected]

Bio, via Politico:

Emily Slack is now a senior advisor working on higher education policy in the Education Department’s Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development. She previously worked on the Republican staff of the House education committee.

Bio, via LinkedIn:

A Strategic Communications Professional who understands the importance of accuracy and deadlines while working with executives in the executive branch, corporate setting, and the United States Congress. Evelyn’s role serving as a political appointee of the President of the United States and Koch Industries positions her as a trusted point of contact for influential leaders. As a respected member of this community, Evelyn demonstrates success in working with media through placing op-eds regionally, making business connections across corporate entities, and identifying key players in the public and private industry. Experience in public affairs is shown through taking part in messaging on the current healthcare debate, and assisting with the public policy portfolio of Koch Industries.

Bio, via LinkedIn:

I work at the crossroads of education, technology, policy, and politics, to change the way we deliver education. By making our investment more dynamically strategic through evidence based practices, individualized learning, and catering the system to the student and ensuring multiple paths and endless chances.

Bio, via LinkedIn:

I am a results-driven, motivated and service-oriented individual. My personal story, which displays leadership and commitment, also evidences my ability to succeed. I was born without my left arm, which has contributed to my determined and confident nature, an outgoing personality and a positive attitude, never hesitating to assume new challenges, nor letting my situation prevent me from accomplishing goals.

Bio, via Department of Education:

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is excited to announce that Laurie VanderPloeg is joining the team as Director for the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). We have full confidence that Laurie’s depth of knowledge and experience as well as her dedication to preparing students for success will move us forward in our commitment to raise expectations and improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities across the country. Laurie has dedicated the past 38 years to ensuring that students with disabilities have access to a high-quality education, and her passion for empowering students to succeed began long before she entered the field. Laurie’s mom was a teacher who helped develop one of the first instructional support models for a school district in Lansing, MI, and her work ethic inspired Laurie to seek a similar career path. “My mom was my first mentor and role model,” Laurie said. “I watched her commitment to her profession and observed her passion for meeting the individual needs of students.” During the four years she spent earning her Bachelor of Science degree at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI, Laurie’s passion for meeting the needs of students with disabilities grew. After she graduated in 1976, she kicked off her career by working with high school students as a special education teacher at Wayland Union Schools. Laurie’s experience in the field of special education expands far beyond the classroom. After teaching high schoolers and middle schoolers for 15 years, Laurie returned to Grand Valley to earn her master’s degree in special education administration, which has proven valuable in her work. She has since served as supervisor of special education for Grand Rapids Public School District, special education consultant with the Michigan Department of Corrections, and most recently as director of special education for Kent Intermediate School District. She also plays a vital role in helping special education administrators develop strong leadership competencies by teaching classes in Grand Valley’s Special Education Administration Program.