President Barack Obama has nominated Martha Kanter, EdD ’89, for the post of U.S. undersecretary of education.
Kanter, who received her doctorate in organization and leadership, has been the chancellor of Foothill-De Anza Community College District—one of the largest community college school districts in the country—for the past six years. Prior to serving as chancellor at the Los Altos-based community college district, Kanter was president of De Anza College for 10 years. She has also worked in a variety of roles at San Jose City College.
Drawn to USF by “extraordinarily accomplished” faculty such as special education expert Susan Evans in the School of Education, Kanter credits courses like advanced statistics, educational research methodologies, and higher education law for advancing her career.
“My favorite USF memory is serving as a teaching assistant in advanced statistics for Dr. Susan Evans,” Kanter said. “The graduate students challenged my knowledge at every turn and I had the opportunity to work with the best professor I’ve ever had in my life.”
Driven by the belief that students can succeed in education and life if provided the right opportunities, Kanter has spent much of her career working to expand and improve education to lower-income students, a priority she intends to carry forward as undersecretary.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Kanter’s primary responsibility will be to oversee higher education.
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