Advisory Board

The Institute's Advisory Board, as established by the Workforce Investment Act (PL 105-220), is composed of 10 individuals appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Each Board member may serve a term of one, two, or three years but not more than two consecutive terms. According to the law, Board members are to represent a variety of entities associated with adult literacy including: service providers; businesses with an interest in literacy; experts in literacy research; representatives of labor organizations; and others. The Board typically meets quarterly. The next Advisory Board meeting will be held on October 23, 2008. (Agenda) Click here for summaries of the Board's meetings. (Federal Register Notice) The Director's Report was submitted to Advisory Board on October 24, 2007.

The law describes the Board's role as providing independent advice on the operation of the Institute; making recommendations concerning the appointment of the Director and staff of the Institute; and receiving reports from the Interagency Group and the Institute's Director.

The Advisory Board is subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed the appointments of three individuals to the National Institute for Literacy's Advisory Board. Congratulations to M. Carmel Borders, who was reappointed, and Eliza McFadden, Dr. Donald D. Deshler and Dr. Timothy Shanahan, who are new members to the Board. For more information, please see the Institute's press release.

Two other individuals were nominated to the Board by the President and are awaiting confirmation by the Senate. They are: Blanca E. Enriquez, a current board member, and Patricia Mathes. For more information, please see the White House press release on the Presidential nominations to the Institute's Advisory Board.

Advisory Board Members