As it wrapped up its final hours in session this week, the U.S. Senate confirmed a new top lawyer at the Education Department while failing to approve a nominee for a key higher education post.
Lawmakers late Tuesday night approved on a voice vote the nomination of James Cole Jr. as the department’s general counsel. Cole is currently the deputy general counsel at the Department of Transportation.
But the Senate failed to act on the nomination of Ericka M. Miller as assistant secretary for postsecondary education. Miller, who is vice president for operations and strategic leadership at the Education Trust, was first picked for the job in November 2013. The Senate’s education committee had approved Miller’s nomination in January. But because lawmakers did not confirm her nomination before leaving town this week, the Obama administration will have to re-nominate someone for the position in the next Congress.
Neither the White House nor Education Department would say on Wednesday whether the administration would again ask the Senate to approve Miller for the role.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Senate next year to gain confirmation of the Department’s nominees,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement.
Opinions on Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed’s Blog U
Inside Higher Ed Careers
Hiring? Post A Job Today!
Browse Faculty Jobs
Browse Administrative Jobs
Browse Executive Administration Jobs
College Pages
Popular Right Now
U of Florida suspends professors blamed in student's suicide
Wellness and Mental Health in 2020 Online Learning
10 strategies to support students and help them learn during the coronavirus crisis (opinion)
8 Ways to Improve Your Online Course | Higher Ed Gamma
Long-term online learning in pandemic may impact students' well-being
How professors can and should combat linguistic prejudice in their classes (opinion)
7 Answers to 7 Questions About Online Education From a Japanese Media Company | Learning Innovation
How to write an effective diversity statement (essay)
Common Application data show most applicants are not submitting test scores
Expand commentsHide comments