Cheryl L. Keenan, director of the Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education since 1993, has been appointed director of the U.S. Department of Education's Division of Adult Education and Literacy, the department announced today.

In her new role, Keenan will oversee the office which funds almost $600 million in state and local grant programs to enable adults to become literate and complete high school so they can succeed as workers, parents and citizens.

"We are delighted to have Cheryl join us," said Carol D'Amico, assistant secretary for vocational and adult education. "She is a nationally recognized expert in the field of adult education and will be a key member of the decision-making team for our office.

"Cheryl will be developing strategies for improving education opportunities for millions of low-level literacy adults," D'Amico added. "She is an innovative thinker interested in promoting lifelong learning and improving federal support and initiatives for adult learners."

In Pennsylvania, she established the first state family literacy program in 1998-99, which tripled in size during a four-year period. She also established the first statewide summer reading program requiring partnerships between family literacy programs and public libraries that grew to include all counties in Pennsylvania during a two-year period.

Since 1996, she has chaired the National Programs Committee of the National Adult Education Professional Development Consortium. The group helps influence the quality and usefulness of federal investments in adult education and works to improve coordination among federal agencies sponsoring research and development in adult education.

Keenan holds a bachelor of science degree from Bloomsburg University and a master's of education from Shippensburg University.

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