Waubonsee welcomes US Department of Education official

Submitted by Waubonsee Community College

On Monday, April 2, Waubonsee Community College will welcome Eduardo Ochoa to its Sugar Grove campus. Ochoa is the assistant secretary for postsecondary education for the U.S. Department of Education.

During his two hours on campus, Ochoa will meet with Waubonsee President Christine Sobek, along with other staff, faculty and students, and take a tour of the college’s Science Building and Student Center.

Named to his position in 2010, Ochoa is the chief adviser to Secretary Arne Duncan on higher education policies and issues. His office administers programs that provide financial assistance to eligible college students, recruit and prepare disadvantaged students to successfully complete postsecondary education, promote the study of foreign languages and international research and exchange activities, and improve the facilities and academic programs of the nation’s postsecondary institutions.

Under the Obama administration, the Office of Postsecondary Education has provided policy direction for the transition to 100 percent direct federal student loans, a major expansion of the Pell grant program and the development of academic program integrity agenda. Ochoa and his office play a major role in the Administration’s college access, affordability and completion initiative.