U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced that Sunny Abello Chico will serve as the Secretary's Regional Representative for Region V. With headquarters in Chicago, Region V includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The Department of Education maintains 10 regional offices throughout the country to represent department programs and interests.

"I am pleased to welcome Sunny Chico to our team as we work to implement the No Child Left Behind Act and bring true education reform to our schools, districts and states," said Paige. "Working together with parents, educators, business and community leaders in the Midwest states, we can make sure that every child receives a quality education and no child is left behind."

As the Secretary's Regional Representative, Chico will serve as the department????s liaison to state and local education agencies, public and private schools, colleges and universities and elected representatives of local and state government organizations. In addition, Chico will assist with communicating information about department programs and initiatives to key constituency groups including parents, members of the business community and civic leaders.

Chico, a native of Camaguey, Cuba, most recently served as executive director of institutional advancement for Waubonsee Community College where she worked to form partnerships with business, community and government organizations. From 1995 to 1997, she served as assistant to former Lt. Gov. Bob Kustra in the area of education policy and worked closely with government officials on several education reform initiatives in Illinois.

Chico received her undergraduate degree from Northeastern Illinois University and a master of education degree from DePaul University.

Top

Back to January 2002