VILLANOVA, PA — U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Villanova University on Thursday, Aug. 6, as part of a nationwide tour aimed at identifying state and local education practices that could inform workforce preparation, student opportunity and higher-education policy.
McMahon met with Villanova leaders and faculty to discuss the university’s approach to academic programs, student outcomes and preparing graduates for the workforce.
The visit was part of McMahon’s Returning Education to the States Tour, an initiative taking the education secretary to all 50 states to gather input from educators, parents, students and community leaders.
The Education Department plans to compile practices identified during the tour into a toolkit for states, according to information provided about the initiative.
“Our discussions today with Villanova’s leadership and faculty highlighted the incredible value of open dialogue in higher education,” McMahon stated during the visit.
Discussions at Villanova also focused on expanding educational opportunities and approaches that could better connect higher education with workforce needs.
The tour reflects McMahon’s emphasis on elevating state and local approaches to education rather than relying solely on federal policy prescriptions.
Villanova was presented as an example of an institution the department is examining for practices involving academic excellence, workforce preparation and student success.
McMahon’s 50-state tour will continue with meetings involving education stakeholders around the country as the department gathers examples for its planned collection of state and local practices.
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