UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek was part of a small group meeting at the White House Tuesday where he and other higher education leaders shared their thoughts about education and economic policy and learned more about new national initiatives.
Along with representing UT, Cheek was there in his role as a board member for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) with several other leaders of large universities.
Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council and chief advisor to the president on economic policy, hosted the group, which included Danielle Carnival, senior policy advisor for the Office of Science and Technology, and Roberto Rodriquez, special assistant to the president for education.
The discussion centered on improving students’ college readiness and strategies for keeping college affordable and accessible as critical factors in improving the nation’s economic future. Cheek said he was honored to visit the White House and to hear more about the Obama administration’s plans.
The National Economic Council is the president’s principal forum for considering economic policy matters.
Cheek is attending the APLU’s annual meeting in Washington, DC, this week. On Sunday, he was part of a plenary discussion, “Responding to Climate Change,” which featured education, government, and industry professionals.
Along with serving on the board, Cheek chairs the organization’s Commission on Food, Environment, and Renewable Resources and is a member of its Presidential Advisory Committee on Energy.
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C O N T A C T :
Karen Simsen (865-974-5186, karen.simsen@tennessee.edu)