President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint Tarajean Yazzie-Mintz of the Denver-headquartered American Indian College Fund to a key Administrative post on the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences.
Yazzie-Mintz is Co-Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and Senior Program Officer of Tribal College and Universities (TCUs) Early Childhood Education Initiatives at the American Indian College Fund. Dr. Yazzie-Mintz previously served as Program Officer of the College Fund’s Wakanyeja “Sacred Little Ones,” Ké’ Family Engagement, and Cultivating Lakota Early Childhood Education Initiatives. She has worked with TCUs and with early learning centers serving Native children, developing curriculum and strengthening early learning programs. Previously, she was an assistant professor at Indiana University, Bloomington from 2005 to 2011. Dr. Yazzie-Mintz was the 2016 recipient of the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Alumni Council Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education. Dr. Yazzie-Mintz received a B.S. and M.Ed. from Arizona State University and an Ed. D. from Harvard University.
Yazzie-Mintz said, “I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences in its role of advising the Director of the Institute of Education Statistics. I look forward to working with the dedicated and highly regarded education professionals on this board to serve my country, while sharing my knowledge and experience gained through working with Native communities, families, teachers, and children.”
The full list of appointees includes:
- Barbara Jenkins – Member, Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences
- Tarajean Yazzie-Mintz – Member, Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences
- Herbert Block – Member, Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad
- Eric D. Schwerin – Member, Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad
- Gary P. Zola – Member, Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad
- Sylvia Orozco – Member, National Museum and Library Services Board
- Annette Evans Smith – Member, National Museum and Library Services Board
- Deborah Taylor – Member, National Museum and Library Service Board
- Jonathan L. Zittrain – Member, National Museum and Library Service Board
- Tamar Newberger – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
- Eric Ortner – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
- Michael Posner – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
- Menachem Rosensaft – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
President Obama said, “These fine public servants bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their important roles. I know they will serve the American people well.”
The full White House press release, including biographies of all appointees, can be found here.
Download this entire press release here.
