Maureen Dowling is the Director for the Office of Non-Public Education (ONPE) in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement. ONPE is the Department's liaison office to the nonpublic school community and fosters maximum participation of private school students and teachers in federal education programs and initiatives. In this capacity, she directs the office that represents the Department to the nonpublic school community and communicates the interests and concerns of the nonpublic school community to Department leadership. She assists in developing policy; crafts federal regulations, guidance and resources; and provides technical assistance to state and school district personnel, as well as private school officials, regarding the equitable participation of private school students and teachers in federal education programs. She also aides private school officials in accessing these programs for their students and teachers. Ms. Dowling's previous experience includes eight years as an elementary school principal and four years as a teacher. She has a bachelor's degree in English from San Diego State University, a master's degree in Education Administration from the Catholic University of America, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.