A New Vice Higher Education Czar

As reported by Kelly Field in the Chronicle:

The U.S. Senate education committee has approved President Obama's nomination of Eduardo M. Ochoa as assistant secretary for postsecondary education, a long-open leadership spot at the Education Department.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Mr. Ochoa, who is now provost and vice president for academic affairs at Sonoma State University, in California, would take charge of the Education Department's Office of Postsecondary Education, which administers most of the federal government's programs for colleges and college students. The assistant secretary has also typically served as the chief adviser to the education secretary on higher-education issues.

The position has been vacant since Mr. Obama took office more than a year ago. He nominated Martha J. Kanter for the other top postsecondary job, under secretary of education, in April of last year, and her appointment was confirmed last June. The president nominated Mr. Ochoa in February.

As assistant secretary, Mr. Ochoa would report to Ms. Kanter, who also came from California, where she was chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.