McMahon; FAFSA Deadline; Clean Energy
BU IN DC
Mary Churchill of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development attended the American Educational Research Association – Consortium of University and Research Institutions Fall Policy meeting from November 17th through November 19th.
Vice President for Government & Community Affairs Jake Sullivan joined Massachusetts elected officials at the White House to celebrate the 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics on November 21st.
TRANSITION UPDATES: TRUMP PICKS LINDA MCMAHON FOR EDUCATION SECRETARY
This week, President-elect Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education. McMahon led the Small Business Administration in Trump’s first term and was previously CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment. McMahon’s educational experience includes service on both the Connecticut State Board of Education and the board of Sacred Heart University, a private religious institution in Connecticut. Earlier this year, she wrote an op-ed in support of expanding Pell Grants to short-term, career-focused programs. McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie McMahon (COM ’98), received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Communication in 2013. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, McMahon would head an agency President-elect Trump pledged to eliminate.
BUZZ BITS…
- The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the FAFSA Deadline Act on Wednesday, sending the bill to the President. The legislation would change the statutory deadline for releasing the federal financial aid application used by college students from January 1st to October 1st. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the measure.
- The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing with National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica Bertagnolli on Tuesday. Several subcommittee members expressed concerns about public trust in the agency and how NIH oversees grantee spending.
- On Monday, NASA announced Clayton P. Turner as the associate administrator of the Space Technology Mission Directorate. Turner has been acting head of the directorate since July; he previously led the NASA Langley Research Center. He has been with the agency for more than 30 years.
EVENT NEWS YOU CAN USE
Professors Cutler Cleveland and Emily Ryan will curate a Research on Tap event on Thursday, December 5th featuring BU researchers working on the problems of climate change and the energy system from multiple angles. Part of the popular series hosted by the BU Office of Research, the event will feature a series of microtalks from faculty who are studying how energy affects local air and water quality, the new technologies required to ensure affordable and efficient clean energy, the effects of climate change and the energy system on society, and the role that business can play in transitioning to clean energy. Following the event, BU scholars will have the opportunity to connect with potential research collaborators during a reception.
A Note to Our Readers: In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, Beltway BUzz will temporarily pause publication. We wish you a joyous holiday! Be sure to check our website and follow us on LinkedIn for updates.