Functional Statements > Office of Postsecondary Education

Sections

1. Mission and Responsibilities
2. Organization
3. Order of Succession
4. Functions and Responsibilities of OPE Components
1. Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary
2. Higher Education Programs
3. Policy, Planning, and Innovation
4. International & Foreign Language Education
5. Primary Delegations of Authority

I. Mission and Responsibilities

The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on Departmental matters related to postsecondary education. The office directs, coordinates, and recommends policies for programs that are designed to:

• Provide financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in postsecondary educational institutions.
• Improve postsecondary educational facilities and programs through the provision of financial support to eligible institutions.
• Recruit and prepare disadvantaged students for the successful completion of postsecondary educational programs.
• Promote the domestic study of foreign languages and international affairs and support international educational research and exchange activities.

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II. Organization

The Office of Postsecondary Education is under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education who reports to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education provides overall direction, coordination, and leadership to the following major elements:

• Higher Education Programs;
• Policy, Planning, and Innovation; and
• International & Foreign Language Education.

In addition, the Executive Office reports to the Assistant Secretary.

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III. Order of Succession

In the event that the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education dies, resigns or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office, and the office is thereby deemed to be vacant, the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning and Innovation shall automatically and by operation of law serve as the “first assistant” and perform the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity, unless the President directs another individual to serve in such capacity If both the offices of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education and the office of the first assistant are vacant, or the time period in which the first assistant can serve on an acting basis has expired, the individuals listed below, in the order indicated, are authorized to perform the functions and duties of the Office :

• Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning and Innovation;
• Deputy Assistant Secretary, Higher Education Programs;
• Deputy Assistant Secretary, International & Foreign Language Education.

In instances where the office of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education is not vacant, but the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education is absent, and unless the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education in writing designates another individual to perform the functions and duties of the office on a temporary basis, the following officials, in the order shown, shall temporarily perform the functions and duties of the office:

• Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning and Innovation;
• Deputy Assistant Secretary, Higher Education Programs;
• Deputy Assistant Secretary, International & Foreign Language Education.

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