Former Maine Governor McKernan and University of Maryland Professor Gates Join Achieve Board

Tuesday, January 5, 2016Printer-friendly version

Washington, D.C. - January 5, 2016 - Achieve announced today that former Maine governor John R. McKernan, Jr. and University of Maryland physics professor S. James Gates have joined its board of directors.

By joining the board, Governor McKernan and Dr. Gates will help guide Achieve's work to lead and support state efforts to improve systems of standards, assessment, accountability, and graduation requirements so that all students are prepared for postsecondary education, work, and citizenship.

"I am so pleased to welcome Governor McKernan and Dr. Gates to the Achieve board," said Achieve President Michael Cohen. "Both of these individuals have already demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding college and career readiness and ensuring that all students are prepared to succeed after high school. Their leadership and experiences will be tremendous assets to Achieve's work moving forward."

Mark Grier, Vice Chairman of Prudential Financial and Chair of the Achieve board, added, "Governor McKernan and Dr. Gates bring important perspectives and valuable expertise to the Achieve board. Both have advocated for education throughout their careers, with a particular focus on improving education in the ever-growing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. We look forward to working with them as we strive to improve college and career readiness across the country."

John R. "Jock" McKernan Jr. is senior adviser and past president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Originally from Maine, he served two terms in the U.S. Congress from 1983 to 1987 and then two terms as governor from 1987 to 1995. During his two terms as governor, he was chairman of the Education Commission of the States and the National Education Goals Panel and was recognized as an Outstanding Governor by the Association for Talent Development. Governor McKernan has a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law.

Dr. S. James Gates serves at the University System of Maryland as a Distinguished University Professor, Regents Professor, John S. Toll Professor of Physics, and Director of the Center for String & Particle Theory. He began his career in physics in the mid-1970s at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received two bachelor's degrees and a Ph.D. Dr. Gates was awarded the National Medal of Science in 2013 and has served on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology since 2009. He also serves on the Maryland State Board of Education and is an advocate for STEM education. Dr. Gates is a supporter of the Next Generation Science Standards and has worked with Achieve over the past several years to support state adoption and implementation of the standards.

MEDIA CONTACT: Chad Colby (202) 419-1570, ccolby@achieve.org
Kelly Van Beveren (202) 745-2306, kvanbeveren@achieve.org

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