HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos will visit Hampton University Friday during National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week for a roundtable discussion.
The discussion is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Hampton University. DeVos will also tour the campus.
The goal is to learn more about the university’s work promoting entrepreneurship while preparing graduates for success as the economy recovers from COVID-19.
Guests include Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos; Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey; Department of Education’s Office for Career, Technical and Adult Education Assistant Secretary Scott Stump; Avalon endowed professor Kermit Crawford.
“It is my pleasure to welcome the U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, to our ‘Home by the Sea,’” said Harvey. “I would like to thank the Secretary for her continued commitment to entrepreneurship and workforce development. My thanks also to Dr. Megan Healy who is the Chief Workforce Advisor to the Governor of Virginia and Dr. Kermit Crawford for their tireless effort on preparing citizens for success in our economy.”
Other area leaders participating in the roundtable include Mr. George Taratsas of the Virginia Workforce Board, Mayor Donnie Tuck of Hampton, and Dr. John Nunnery of the Center for Educational Partnerships at Old Dominion University.
On Friday, Virginia Democrats released a statement condemning BeVos’ visit.
“Since the moment she has stepped in office, Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration have made ignorant comments about historically Black colleges and universities and gotten rid of policies that would help students. While schools and students have suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, DeVos took advantage of the opportunity to divert relief funds from public schools to favor private and religious schools. We need a president who cares about an equal education for all students, not one who thinks the Secretary of Education is a position to pawn off to a mega-donor.”
DeVos’ visit also comes the same day President Donald Trump is expected to hold a rally in Newport News.
WAVY will have live coverage today of both events.
