News

David Longanecker to Leave Education Dept. to Run Western Policy Center

February 12, 1999

David A. Longanecker announced last month that he would step down as the U.S. Education Department’s chief policy maker on college issues to become executive director of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

The commission, also known as WICHE, is based in Boulder, Colo., and provides data and policy analysis for governors, legislators, and educators in 15 Western states. Its current leader, Richard W. Jonsen, will retire in June.

In an interview, Mr. Longanecker, the Assistant Secretary for postsecondary education, said that his decision to leave the department was “bittersweet,” but described his move as “a chance to go home.”

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Before joining the department, in 1993, Mr. Longanecker served for five years as the executive director of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, which does budget analysis and long-range planning for the state’s public colleges. During that time, he served as a member of WICHE’s board.

Mr. Longanecker said that with less than two years left in the Clinton Administration, now was a good time to go. He said that he had been approached by WICHE board members about the position and that he was excited to take it because it is a “marvelous organization.”

“As a person who is interested in both public policy and management, this is an ideal job,” he said.

Education Secretary Richard W. Riley praised Mr. Longanecker as a “tireless and very effective champion of efforts to provide Americans with universal access to affordable higher education.”

Mr. Longanecker said he has had a “wonderful” time at the Education Department, particularly in helping to create direct lending. But he acknowledged that the day-to-day management of the student-aid programs, which experienced several major glitches during his tenure, did “take its toll.”

Mr. Longanecker plans to remain at the department until July or until his successor is confirmed by the Senate, whichever comes first.

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