UH interim president to participate in White House summit

University of Hawaiʻi Interim President David Lassner will be participating in an invitation-only workshop at the White House on Thursday, January 16 to develop a national action plan to increase college access and success for low-income and disadvantaged students.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan are scheduled to offer remarks. The workshop also includes panels and breakout sessions with select college and university presidents, higher education experts and philanthropists concerned with increasing higher education opportunities across the nation.

“Studies indicate that 65 percent of the future jobs in Hawaiʻi will require some education beyond high school,” said Lassner. “Hawaiʻi’s goal of having 55 percent of the population holding a two-year or four-year degree by 2025 can’t be achieved without improving access for low-income students and ensuring they succeed.”

Lassner added, “I am delighted and honored to have been invited, and I look forward to both sharing our successes and learning what works in other states so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”

The workshop is being jointly coordinated by the White House National Economic Council, the White House Domestic Policy Council and the U.S. Department of Education.