WASHINGTON – More than a dozen new members of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics were announced at the White House and will be sworn-in tonight at an official ceremony with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the Smithsonian Castle.

The Commission works to improve academic excellence and opportunities by providing advice to President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Hispanic success in education and the labor market is important to America’s economy. Hispanics are the largest minority group in the public education system with more than 1 in 5 students in the country’s elementary, middle and high schools, but have the lowest education attainment level overall, according to a recent report by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

President Obama announced his appointment of the following individuals to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics:

 
·         Alicia Abella, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Sylvia Acevedo, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Alfredo J. Artiles, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Daniel J. Cardinali, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Francisco G. Cigarroa, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Cesar Conde, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Luis Ricardo Fraga, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         JoAnn Gama, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Patricia Gándara, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Maria Neira, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Lisette Nieves, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Darline P. Robles, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Ricardo Romo, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Manny Sanchez, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

·         Marta Tienda, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics


President Obama said, “The extraordinary dedication these men and women bring to their new roles will greatly serve the American people.  I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this Administration and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”