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Data U.S. Department of Education to Host National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education on July 26
                                                          Archived InformationU.S. Department of Education to Host National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education on July 26
Convening marks a key next step in the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to advance diversity & opportunity in higher education following the Supreme Court ruling on Affirmative Action
**Contact:** (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov
**Event Date 1 :**July 26, 2023 - 9:00am**Event Date 2 :**July 26, 2023 - 9:30am**Event Date 3 :**July 26, 2023 - 10:15am**Event Date 4 :**July 26, 2023 - 10:45am**Event Date 5 :**July 26, 2023 - 11:30am**Event Date 6 :**July 26, 2023 - 12:45pm**Event Date 7 :**July 26, 2023 - 1:30pm
On Wednesday, July 26, the U.S. Department of Education will host the National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, a one-day summit that will bring together senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and national educational institutions and leaders to discuss innovative strategies and resources for colleges and students to expand access to higher education in the wake of the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.
The recent Supreme Court decision on college affirmative action programs has limited a vital tool that many institutions of higher education and post-secondary institutions have used for decades to help create vibrant, diverse campus communities. As the country grapples with the recent decision, the Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to educational opportunity for all Americans and to promoting diversity in higher education consistent with the law, and the Administration has taken swift action to support our Nation's colleges and universities so they can continue building pathways to upward mobility and preparing students from all backgrounds to thrive in our workforce.
The National Summit -- which is a key next step in the Administration's efforts to promote educational opportunity and diversity in colleges and universities -- will focus on the strategies higher education leaders are pursuing for reimagining admissions, building affordable college pipelines, and creating inclusive campus communities that support student success and completion.
Participants will include U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, White House Domestic Policy Advisor and Assistant to the President Neera Tanden, White House Office of Public Engagement Director and Assistant to the President Steve Benjamin, U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke, advocates, student leaders, college and university administrators, researchers, and state, local, and Tribal leaders.
More information on the work the Biden-Harris Administration is doing to continue building success for all students to thrive can be found here. A full list of the agenda can be found here.
There is limited space for in-person media coverage. If you are interested in covering this event, please email pressRSVP@ed.gov, and include name, outlet, and position. Media should arrive no later than 8:30 am ET for set up.
The event will also be livestreamed. Members of the public can register for the event here.

**RSVP:**
There is limited space for in-person media coverage. If you are interested in covering this event, please email pressRSVP@ed.gov, and include name, outlet, and position.
The event will also be live-streamed and can be viewed by registering here.
Event 1
                  Who :
                 U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
White House Domestic Policy Advisor and Assistant to the President Neera Tanden
White House Office of Public Engagement Director and Assistant to the President Steve Benjamin
U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen ClarkeAdvocates, student leaders, college and university administrators, researchers, and state, local, and Tribal leadersWhat :
                 **Welcome and Keynote Address**When :

                 9:00 a.m.
**Media should arrive no later than 8:30 am for set up**Where :
                 U.S. Department of Education
Lyndon Baines Johnson Auditorium
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
    		Event 2
                  Who :
                 U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
White House Domestic Policy Advisor and Assistant to the President Neera Tanden
White House Office of Public Engagement Director and Assistant to the President Steve Benjamin
U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen ClarkeAdvocates, student leaders, college and university administrators, researchers, and state, local, and Tribal leadersWhat :
                 **First Panel: Committing to Educational Opportunity for All Students**
States, higher education systems, and college and university leaders each play a critical role in fostering racial and ethnic diversity in higher education to ensure equal opportunity for all students. Panelists would present a forward-looking vision about how they plan to engage and recruit diverse students, create welcoming campuses and communities, and provide the supports necessary for all students to thrive and succeed in higher education.When :

                 9:30 a.m.Where :
                 U.S. Department of Education
Lyndon Baines Johnson Auditorium
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
    		Event 3
                  Who :
                 U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
White House Domestic Policy Advisor and Assistant to the President Neera Tanden
White House Office of Public Engagement Director and Assistant to the President Steve Benjamin
U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen ClarkeAdvocates, student leaders, college and university administrators, researchers, and state, local, and Tribal leadersWhat :
                 **Second Panel: College Admissions after Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard College and SFFA v. University of North Carolina**
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights will provide an overview of the impact of the Supreme Court's decisions on student admission processes at colleges and universities and discuss the obligation of colleges and universities that receive federal financial assistance not to discriminate in their programs or activities based on race, color, or national origin, sex, disability, and age.When :

                 10:20 a.m.Where :
                 U.S. Department of Education
Lyndon Baines Johnson Auditorium
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
    		Event 4
                  Who :
                 U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
White House Domestic Policy Advisor and Assistant to the President Neera Tanden
White House Office of Public Engagement Director and Assistant to the President Steve Benjamin
U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen ClarkeAdvocates, student leaders, college and university administrators, researchers, and state, local, and Tribal leadersWhat :
                 **Third Panel: What's Next in College Admissions**
Higher education leaders across the country are exploring a range of admissions practices to help build racially diverse student bodies through lawful and appropriate means. Presenters will highlight a range of promising practices, including consideration of measures of adversity in holistic admissions, top percent plans, direct admissions, and other strategies.When :

                 10:50 a.m.Where :
                 U.S. Department of Education
Lyndon Baines Johnson Auditorium
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
    		Event 5
                  Who :
                 U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
White House Domestic Policy Advisor and Assistant to the President Neera Tanden
White House Office of Public Engagement Director and Assistant to the President Steve Benjamin
U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen ClarkeAdvocates, student leaders, college and university administrators, researchers, and state, local, and Tribal leadersWhat :
                 **Fourth Panel: Rebuilding Affordable Higher Education Pipelines**
Beyond admissions practices, higher education leaders must work together to rebuild affordable higher education pipelines for all students. Presenters will discuss affordability initiatives, pipeline programs, and targeted recruitment strategies that remove barriers and promote inclusive access and success.When :

                 11:30 a.m.Where :
                 U.S. Department of Education
Lyndon Baines Johnson Auditorium
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
    		Event 6
                  Who :
                 U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
White House Domestic Policy Advisor and Assistant to the President Neera Tanden
White House Office of Public Engagement Director and Assistant to the President Steve Benjamin
U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen ClarkeAdvocates, student leaders, college and university administrators, researchers, and state, local, and Tribal leadersWhat :
                 **Fifth Panel: Focusing on Equitable Completion**
Now, more than ever, college and university leaders are considering the impact that campus climate has on student success and completion. Presenters will focus on a range of equitable completion strategies, including fostering a sense of student belonging on campus, providing holistic advising, and supporting student basic needs.When :

                 12:50 p.m.Where :
                 U.S. Department of Education
Lyndon Baines Johnson Auditorium
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
    		Event 7
                  Who :
                 U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
White House Domestic Policy Advisor and Assistant to the President Neera Tanden
White House Office of Public Engagement Director and Assistant to the President Steve Benjamin
U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen ClarkeAdvocates, student leaders, college and university administrators, researchers, and state, local, and Tribal leadersWhat :
                 **Closing Remarks by Senior Administration Officials**When :

                 1:40 p.m.Where :
                 U.S. Department of Education
Lyndon Baines Johnson Auditorium
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
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