Pelosi Announces Appointments to Higher Education Accreditation Advisory Committee

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced she is appointing Dr. Kathleen Sullivan Alioto, Dr. George French and Mr. Ralph Wolff to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). NACIQI advises the Secretary of Education on matters related to higher education accreditation, and its primary function is to provide recommendations to the Secretary concerning whether accrediting agencies' standards are sufficiently rigorous and effective. The committee consists of 18 members with six-year membership terms, three of which are appointed by the House Democratic Leader.

"San Franciscans have become painfully aware of the importance of guaranteeing that accrediting agencies themselves are held to the highest standards of ethics, fairness and transparency so that they will faithfully fulfill their role of ensuring higher education institutions pass muster," said Leader Pelosi. "These appointees know the value of high standards, public accountability and full transparency for our accrediting agencies, and I am confident they will provide expert and experienced counsel to the Secretary of Education in these matters."

Leader Pelosi appointed the following individuals:

• Dr. Kathleen Sullivan Alioto – Currently an education consultant, Dr. Alioto served as the Dean of Development at City College of San Francisco for over 13 years, as well as Consulting Vice President of Development for City College of New York, Guttman Community College. A graduate of the Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Dr. Alioto earned a Doctorate of Education at Harvard University and served as President of the Boston School Committee.

• Ralph Wolff, J.D. – Mr. Wolff served as President of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission from 1996 to 2013, having serving on its staff since 1981. WASC is the regional accrediting body for more than 170 senior colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, Guam, and the Pacific Islands. He currently serves as an independent policy consultant. A graduate of Tufts University, Mr. Wolff received his JD with honors from George Washington University.

• Dr. George T. French, Jr. – Dr. French serves as the 14th President of Miles College, a historically black college outside of Birmingham, Alabama, having led the university since 2006. Mr. French has been at Miles College for 10 years. He has been a minister in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for the last 16 years, serving pastorates in South Boston and Virginia as well as Gadsden and Mount Carmel CME Church in Adamsville. Dr. French is being reappointed to the Committee.