Gov. Bob McDonnell appointed Laura Fornash as Virginia's new secretary of Education Tuesday, citing her commitment to access and affordability of higher education.
Fornash has served as interim secretary of Education since July when Gerard Robinson stepped down from the position. Before that, she was the deputy secretary of Education in the department.
"Laura has played a key role in our 'Top Jobs' initiatives ... and helping colleges and universities move closer to achieving our goal of adding 100,000 new degrees in the next 15 years," McDonnell said in a statement. "She is also working with the Department of Education to ensure students in our elementary, primary and high schools are thriving."
A Virginia Tech graduate, Fornash worked with her alma mater for 20 years before working for the state. In addition to her new post, Fornash also serves as executive director of the Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment.
Fornash hopes to accomplish several goals in her new position, including furthering McDonnell's plan to raise the number of Virginia degrees awarded each year.
"We are trying to increase access to post-secondary education," she said.
With Fornash at the helm, the Virginia Department of Education will pay individual schools to increase their enrollment.
"U.Va. said very quickly they were willing to increase enrollment," she said, "We are very proud of U.Va.'s quick response"
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