Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper – who has served as president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) since 2008 – was appointed the deputy assistant secretary for higher education programs in the Office of Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. As of this week, she’s listed on the department’s website as the acting assistant secretary for postsecondary education.
Her colleagues are celebrating the selection and what they hope it signals: an equity-focused trajectory for higher education policy under President Joe Biden.
Cooper is “one of the nation’s most trusted voices in championing success for students in higher education regardless of race, socioeconomic background or gender,” said IHEP Interim President Mamie Voight. “Her passion for equity and social justice has shaped our work, inspired our team and built IHEP into the robust organization we are today. We are thrilled to see Dr. Cooper bring her equity-centered and student-ready mindset to her new role in the Biden-Harris administration and are eager to witness the transformative change she will bring to our nation’s postsecondary policies.”
Dr. Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, described Cooper as “wise, clear-headed and passionate about creating opportunity for traditionally underserved populations.” He credited her leadership for putting the Institute for Higher Education Policy “at the forefront of policy work aimed at eliminating racial disparities in educational outcomes.”
“Michelle Asha Cooper is a fabulous choice to serve as assistant secretary of whatever she wants, and most especially the Department of Education,” he wrote in a statement. “She will do a great job in the department and in working with the higher education community.”
Cooper comes to the position with years of higher education experience. In addition to her time at IHEP, she’s held leadership roles at the education department’s advisory committee on student financial assistance, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the Council for Independent Colleges and King’s College.
In addition to her research, colleagues also praised Cooper’s ability to work across party lines.
