John P. Higgins Jr. was sworn in today as the U.S. Department of Education's inspector general.

"Mr. Higgins has been an excellent guardian of the Department of Education assets," said U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige. "His leadership as director of the Management Improvement Team has helped the department make great strides in improving the way we do business. I am honored to administer the oath of office so that Mr. Higgins may continue to promote the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of the department's programs and operations."

The inspector general's office is an independent unit responsible for conducting audits and investigations. The inspector general provides leadership and recommends policies to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness in department program administration and to detect and prevent fraud and abuse in department programs and operations.

Higgins began his federal service in 1968 after graduating with a degree in business from Bethel College in McKenzie, Tenn. He began his federal career as an auditor trainee with the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, where he was promoted to a supervisory auditor position. When the Office of Education became a separate cabinet agency in 1980, he chose to come to the Department of Education.

He was promoted through the ranks to the position of deputy inspector general and has served as acting inspector general several times during his career in the department. He is a certified information systems auditor and certified government financial manager. He was awarded the presidential rank award as a distinguished executive in April 1999.

Higgins, 56, is a native of Union County, N.J. He resides in Fairfax Station, Va., with his wife, Lucy.

He was nominated by President Bush for the position of inspector general on Sept. 18 and confirmed by the Senate Nov. 14.

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