In this plenary address, Under Secretary Kanter will discuss the President's 2020 goal for America to once again have "the best educated, most competitive workforce in the world". Getting there won't be easy. It will involve new initiatives, innovation, creative policy at all levels, new delivery systems, and collaboration across educational sectors -- along with a commitment to equity and access to the American Dream for all our people. Kanter will highlight the necessary role that community colleges as well as four year colleges and universities must play in order to achieve the President's goal, with a special focus on the need for all educational institutions to support pathways to completion and success for the full range of America's students.

Martha J. Kanter was confirmed as President Obama's under secretary of education on June 19, 2009. She is the first community college leader to serve in this position, reporting to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and overseeing policies, programs, and activities related to postsecondary education, vocational and adult education, and federal student aid. From 2003 to 2009, Kanter served as chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. She held several positions at San Jose City College before going on to serve in the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office in Sacramento. She returned to San Jose City College as vice president of instruction and student services in 1990. In 1993, she was named president of De Anza College. Kanter has served as a board member or officer in a wide variety of national, state, and local organizations and has been recognized numerous times for her work. Kanter holds a doctorate in organization and leadership from the University of San Francisco, a master's degree in education from Harvard University, and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Brandeis University.

Email: kantermartha [at] gmail [dot] com