U.S. Senate Confirms New Appointment to the National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board

The U.S. Senate has confirmed the appointment Eliza McFadden to serve on the Advisory Board of the National Institute for Literacy.

Ms. McFadden is president of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, a foundation aimed at strengthening Florida families through volunteerism and community service. An advocate for literacy, Ms. McFadden has served as the executive director for the Governor's Family Literacy Initiative since its inception in 1999. Ninety-two family literacy programs have been started in Florida since 1999, all begun via initial private funds from this program. The innovative program is now sustained through state and federal funds. Ms. McFadden has been appointed to serve the remainder of a three-year term expiring January 30, 2009.

Last month, the Senate confirmed three other individuals to the Institute's Advisory Board. They are:

M. Carmel Borders, who serves as the Board Chairwoman and was reappointed to serve the remainder of a three-year term expiring November 25, 2008. She is president of the Tapestry Foundation, an organization that partners with literacy projects that emphasize family literacy and the early literacy environment for children.

Dr. Donald D. Deshler, who was appointed to serve for the remainder of a three-year term expiring January 30, 2008. He is a Professor in the Department of Special Education and Director of the Center for Research on Learning (CRL) at the University of Kansas.

Dr. Timothy Shanahan, who was appointed to serve for the remainder of a three-year term expiring November 25, 2007. He is a professor of urban education and Director of the Center for Literacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Two other individuals were nominated by the President in June and are awaiting confirmation by the Senate. They are Blanca E. Enriquez, a current board member, and Dr. Patricia Mathes. The Advisory Board is expected to meet at its next meeting October 25-26 at the Institute's offices in Washington, D.C.

The National Institute for Literacy provides leadership on literacy issues, including the improvement of reading instruction for children, youth, and adults. In consultation with the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services, the Institute serves as a national resource on current, comprehensive literacy research, practice, and policy.

For more information, please see the Advisory Board's page.