Recommendation Nine

is an Education Policy Specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures covering higher education issues. Brenda currently manages projects funded by the Lumina Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences focused on improving college completion. Prior to NCSL, Brenda worked as an analyst at CGI, a consulting company in Washington, D.C. Brenda also worked with a non-profit organization, Facilitating Leadership in Youth, helping disadvantaged students plan for college. 

Brenda received a B.A. in Political Science from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. During her time at Duke, Brenda worked at the university’s government relations office, researching and analyzing higher education policy issues. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.

is a vice president of the College Board. Among several leadership roles, Williams is responsible for strengthening the relationship between the College Board and community colleges throughout the United States. He also provides leadership to a cluster of initiatives dealing with students’ access to, and persistence in, college. Williams joined the College Board in 2007 from Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland, where he had served as president since 1999, capping an extensive career with community colleges. Williams is a member of the board of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, the American Association of Community Colleges, and the American Council on Education’s Center for Policy Analysis Advisory Committee. Williams attended Lehigh University, where he earned a doctorate in Literature, a master’s degree in English and a bachelor’s degree in History and English.