Dr. Martha J. Kanter (PHOTO SUPPLIED)
University Park, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Governors State University’s innovative Dual Degree Program takes the national spotlight next week as Dr. Martha J. Kanter, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, visits the campus for an educational rally. Kanter is the highest ranking post-secondary education officer in the United States.
“Success by Dual Degrees: Meeting the President’s College Completion Goal,” takes place on Friday, September 9, at 2 p.m., in GSU’s Center for Performing Arts. The event is free and open to the public.
Anne R. Pramaggiore, president and chief operating officer of ComEd will also speak at the event, which is hosted by GSU President Elaine P. Maimon.
President Barack Obama has called upon American institutions of higher learning to take steps to increase the national college graduation rate by 50 percent by 2020. GSU, responding to the president’s call, initiated the Dual Degree Program, a groundbreaking partnership between the university and area community colleges that is already a national model for degree completion, both on the community college and university level.
“Dr. Kanter recognizes that GSU’s Dual Degree Program, which promotes a seamless transfer from the community college to the university, is a model for meeting President Obama’s goal,” Dr. Maimon said. “I am pleased and excited to have Under Secretary Kanter and Ms. Pramagiorre visit our campus and participate in this interesting and informative event.”
The rally is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s “Education and the Economy” back-to-school bus tour, which includes stops throughout the Midwest. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and senior staff members, including Under Secretary Kanter, are taking part in various events to promote the work of educators, parents, administrators, and community stakeholders in building an educational system that prepares students to compete in the global economy.
Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois. Directions are avaiable online at www.govst.edu/directions.
