Education Department Liaison Woods to Head AAUW.

Education Department Liaison Woods to Head AAUW. WASHINGTON -- One of the most influential voices in federalcommunity college policy is leaving government service after four yearsto join the association world, Jacqueline E. Woods, the community college liaison for the U.S.Department of Education, left the department in late November to becomeexecutive director of the American Association of University Women ''This article or section is being rewritten at The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. .Woods' four-year tenure as liaison covered a period of tremendousgrowth, not only in terms of staffing but also in influence. Back in 1996, the liaison office was a one-person operation seekinga voice in Education Department policy. But in 2000, a five-person staffexerts influence not just within the department and on Capitol Capitol, seat of the U.S. CongressCapitol,seat of the U.S. government at Washington, D.C. It is the city's dominating monument, built on an elevated site that was chosen by George Washington in consultation with Major Pierre L'Enfant. Hill, butalso in partnerships stretching as far as Europe and Africa. "I feel good that we have taken an obscure title and made anoffice out of it," Woods said in a recent interview looking back ather record. "We've also eliminated some of the stereotypesabout community colleges," she said, adding that in the process, ithas been demonstrated that these institutions can serve as majorpartners in work-force development as well as education reform. Woods' tenure coincided with a period of heightened departmentinterest in community colleges. During this time, President Clintonproposed his HOPE Scholarship The HOPE Scholarship, created in 1993 by the state of Georgia legislature, is a university scholarship program that has been adopted by several other states. HOPE (a reverse acronym for "helping outstanding pupils educationally") is funded entirely by the revenue from the Georgia program to help pay for the first twoyears of college, while foreign nations also showed increased interestin America's two-year college model. But Woods capitalized on this interest by raising theliaison's visibility in Washington, D.C., and leading efforts forpartnerships worldwide. She also fought for funds to support a staffthat could conduct workshops and other outreach efforts with two-yearinstitutions. "She came in with nothing and built an office," said NoahBrown, federal relations director of the Association of CommunityCollege Trustees. "She's been a good partner and helped setthe stage for us to make our case," both inside the EducationDepartment and on Capitol Hill. Highlights of her tenure included workshops for rural colleges onfederal funding opportunities and outreach efforts to help all two-yearcolleges better use technology on their campuses. Other priorities, shesaid, included improved federal/state relations and discussion about therole of community colleges in the education reform movement. Part of Woods' role was to represent the department SecretaryRichard Riley Richard Wilson Riley (born January 2, 1933), American politician, was the United States Secretary of Education under President Bill Clinton as well as the Governor of South Carolina, as a member of the Democratic Party. abroad. Woods visited Africa and Europe to spread the wordabout America's two-year college system and the role it can play inproviding open-door access to education. She played a major role ineducational partnerships in South Africa South Africa,Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. and participated in discussionsthat resulted in a recent agreement between the United States United States,officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. andDenmark on technical education. Through these efforts, many two-year colleges also launched theirfirst major international partnerships. "International education isclearly a hot issue," she said, citing her work in this area asamong her most rewarding activities. Credit for heightened interest in two-year colleges also must go toRiley and to President Clinton, Woods said. "I feel good about whatwe've been able to do over the last four years, and I'm veryproud to have been a member of the Clinton administration Noun 1. Clinton administration - the executive under President Clintonexecutive - persons who administer the law ." Thanks to HOPE Scholarship and other high-profile efforts,community colleges have gained in visibility. In 2000, despite somelingering lin��ger?v. lin��gered, lin��ger��ing, lin��gersv.intr.1. To be slow in leaving, especially out of reluctance; tarry. See Synonyms at stay1.2. stereotypes, "people now have a better understanding ofcommunity colleges," she said. The liaison office will continue to operate with a small staffpending appointment of a successor, Woods said. Authority for theappointment rests with the secretary of Education. The job of community college liaison was created by the 1992 HigherEducation Act The Higher Education Act may refer to an Act of either the Congress of the United States or of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Higher Education Act of 1965, an Act of the Congress of the United States which was supposed to strengthen the resources of colleges and Amendments, and the first liaison began work in 1993.Under the HCA HCA,n.pr See acid, hydroxycitric. amendments, the post became part of the generalorganizational act for the Education Department, which means that theposition should continue under President Clinton's successor, saidDavid Baime, government relations director for the American Association American Association refers to one of the following professional baseball leagues: American Association (19th century), active from 1882 to 1891. American Association (20th century), active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997. of Community Colleges. Language about the position is "fairly binding," he said,and college leaders expect that an Education secretary in the nextpresidential administration will appoint a successor. Under the law, aliaison must possess an associate's degree as��so��ci��ate's degreen.An academic degree conferred by a two-year college after the prescribed course of study has been successfully completed. from a community orjunior college or have at least five years' experience working in acommunity college setting. At AAUW AAUWabbr.American Association of University Women , Woods will take charge of three separate corporations -- alegal advocacy fund, an educational foundation and a membershipassociation of 150,000. She said one of her goals for AAUW is to"create a new vision" that also includes men in the discussionabout how to improve education for women. "Men and boys have a stake in seeing women and girls achievein education," she said. Other goals are to raise theorganization's profile and "broaden our base." Woods saidshe expects to maintain links with community colleges, which she viewsas integral to the nation's continued economic progress. "The haves will always have. This is a sector that blends thehaves and the have-nots," Woods said. "This sector sees thatthere is an open door to higher education higher educationStudy beyond the level of secondary education. Institutions of higher education include not only colleges and universities but also professional schools in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. ."