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TC Alumnus David Johns Tapped to Lead White House Education Initiative

The new Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans will identify evidence-based best practices that can improve African American student achievement from cradle to career.
David J. Johns (M.A. ’06 sociology and education policy) has been named Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. His primary role will be to identify evidence-based best practices that can improve African American student achievement—from cradle to career.

"David’s expertise will be critical in helping to address the academic challenges that many African American students face, and I am delighted to have him on our team," U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan Duncan said in announcing Johns’ appointment. "His wealth of knowledge and passion will help the Department move forward in its quest to ensure that all children are college and career ready."

Johns previously served as Senior Education Policy Advisor to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) under the leadership of Senator Tom Harkin. His research as an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow served as a catalyst to identify, disrupt and supplant negative perceptions of black males, both within academia and society. Johns is committed to volunteer services and maintains an active commitment to improve literacy among adolescent minority males. 


Published Thursday, Mar. 7, 2013
David Johns (image from www.impact-dc.com)

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