News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2006

Lumina Foundation announces Research Advisory Committee

Indianapolis - Lumina Foundation for Education today announced its newly formed Research Advisory Committee to assist the Foundation in using research to improve policy and practice in higher education.

The advisory group, composed of 15 national higher education experts, will help inform the Foundation's research agenda, identify established and emerging researchers, and disseminate the findings to policymakers and practitioners in the field.

"Lumina Foundation places a high value on research as a key strategy in its mission of improving student access and success in postsecondary education," stated Martha D. Lamkin, president and CEO of Lumina. "These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and resources that will help us support change and improvement for students in the educational system."

Committee members include:

Ansley Abraham, Director, State Doctoral Scholars Program, Southern Regional Education Board (Stone Mountain, GA)

Clifford Adelman, Senior Associate, Institute for Higher Education Policy, Effective October 1, 2006, (Washington DC)

Peter Ewell, Vice President, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (Boulder, CO)

Christine Johnson,President, Community College of Denver (Denver, CO)

Bridget Terry Long, Associate Professor of Education and Economics, Harvard Graduate School of Education (Cambridge, MA)

David Longanecker, Executive Director, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (Boulder, CO)

Arturo Madrid, Distinguished Professor of the Humanities, Trinity University (San Antonio, TX)

Jamie Merisotis, President, Institute for Higher Education Policy (Washington, D.C.)

Michael Nettles, Senior Vice President, Center for Policy Research & Evaluation, Educational Testing Service (Princeton, NJ)
Laura Perna, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)

Robert Tad Perry, Executive Director, South Dakota Board of Regents (Pierre, SD)

Brian Pusser, Assistant Professor, University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
Sheri Ranis, Senior Research Officer, U.S. Programs/Education Division, Gates Foundation (Seattle, WA)

Jan Somerville, Staff Officer, National Association of System Heads (Washington, D.C.)

Vincent Tinto, Distinguished University Professor, Higher Education Program Chair, Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)

Each member of the Committee has agreed to serve a two-year term.

"We are honored that each of these individuals is willing to commit personal time and energy to benefit students by improving today's higher education system," said Lamkin. "Together we will identify and pursue research that answers key questions about higher education access and success for policymakers, practitioners, parents, students and education leaders."

The research agenda will focus on the key issues and questions necessary to most effectively expand opportunity to postsecondary education, including affordability, access and persistence among underserved student populations, the growing importance of community colleges and data-based decision making, among others.

The committee will work closely with the Foundation's research staff led by senior research director Dewayne Matthews.

Holly Zanville, who recently joined the staff as senior research officer, will also participate in the development and implementation of the Foundation's research agenda. Her 30-year career spans the education pipeline, with service in K-12, community colleges, four-year colleges/universities, and higher education executive offices. She has previously served as Senior Academic Officer, Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board; and Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Oregon University System. Zanville received her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Minnesota; M.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and B.A. in English and Biology from Lindenwood University.

For more information, contact Dollyne Sherman, director of communication, Lumina Foundation for Education, 317.951.5493

About Lumina Foundation
Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis-based, private, independent foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school. Through grants for research, innovation, communication, and evaluation, as well as policy education and leadership development, Lumina Foundation addresses issues that affect access and educational attainment among all students, particularly underserved student groups, including adult learners. The Foundation bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals can make in themselves and that society can make in its people.