California Community Colleges Chancellor to Temporarily Advise U.S. Ed Secretary

Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

Jessica Ruf

July 20, 2021

California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley will temporarily advise U.S. Education Secretary Dr. Miguel Cardona on higher education policy, reports The Los Angeles Times. Oakley will step aside from his role on July 26 and return this fall, with Deputy Chancellor Daisy Gonzales filling in the position.

In helping the Biden administration achieve its higher education priorities, Oakley said he hopes to increase the federal Pell Grant, which is awarded to students with annual family incomes typically below $50,000. Currently, the grant only covers 28% of the average cost at a public four-year university as opposed to when it covered 77% of the cost in 1980, notes The Times.