Civil Rights Coalition Names New Outreach Director
WASHINGTON — The Campaign for High School Equity, a coalition of leading civil rights organizations focused on high school education reform, has just announced Iris Bond Gill as its new director of policy and outreach. The addition of Ms. Bond Gill to the CHSE team reinforces the coalition’s commitment to ensuring that all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or zip code, graduate from high school prepared for success in college, a career, and life. “As Congress and President Obama revamp federal education policy through such things as the re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, CHSE will fully utilize Ms. Bond Gill’s expertise to ensure that policymakers focus on reforms that address the specific needs of students of color and low income students,” said Michael Wotorson, executive director of CHSE.“Mrs. Bond Gill's vast experience in the development and execution of education policy makes her an excellent addition to our team.” Ms. Bond Gill will promote CHSE policy priorities while fostering the coalition’s relationships with members of Congress, the White House, and other federal and state education policymakers. She will develop, guide, and interpret CHSE’s advocacy strategies to encourage policymakers to pursue meaningful education reform that includes higher, clearer academic standards coupled with strategies that support college readiness, access, and completion; high-quality curricula and instruction, accountability, and community engagement. Ms. Bond Gill will also guide the development and implementation of the day-to-day policy agenda, which includes monitoring and researching legislation, managing the development of reports and concept papers, and supporting policy committee meetings and functions. She will be the point of contact for national staff on federal and state policy analysis. Before joining CHSE, Ms. Bond Gill worked as an independent consultant, providing strategic, programmatic, and management services to nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the areas of education, public policy, and change management. She also served as the managing director for policy and advocacy leadership for Teach For America, senior director for the American Youth Policy Forum, as well as former policy associate for the Alliance for Excellent Education. Mrs. Bond Gill holds a Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University, and she also holds a Master of Science in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. CHSE is a coalition of leading civil rights organizations representing communities of color that is focused on high school education reform. Members include the National Urban League, National Council of LaRaza, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Leadership Conference Education Fund, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, League of United Latin American Citizens, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, Alliance for Excellent Education, National Indian Education Association, and Southeast Asia Resource Action Center. CHSE is a special project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
