Director
Fund for the Improvement
of Postsecondary Education, United States Department of Education

Secretary Rod Paige appointed Dr. Leonard L. Haynes III on June 15, 2003, Director for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education in the Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education. In this capacity Dr. Haynes administers a program that supports over $40 million in innovative grant programs that impact both the domestic and international higher education community. He comes to the position with a distinguished career and background as an educator and public servant in advancing the common good. He has served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education, Senior Advisor to the Superintendent of the District of Columbia Public Schools, Acting President of Grambling State University, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Postsecondary Education and Director of Academic Programs for the United States Information Agency (now State Department) Senior Assistant to the President of American University, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Programs for Louisiana's State Department of Education, Executive Vice President of the Southern University System, and Director of the Office for the Advancement of Public Black Colleges.

Dr. Haynes has been a member of the faculties of Howard, Ohio State, Maryland, Southern, the Brookings Institution, and George Washington University. He has authored books and professional articles on matters relating to equity and parity for minority populations and their education. In this regard he is recognized as an expert on the desegregation of public higher education. His opinions have appeared in major media outlets and he has served as a commentator on both radio and television on education and related topics. In addition he has also made important contributions to the cause of international lifer education by serving as a principal member of the Delegation to the 50th Anniversary AMIDEAST Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, head of the U.S. Delegation to the "North American Talks on Education Cooperation" involving Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. and through his work at USIA in developing the pilot academic exchange program between the U.S. and the European Community.

Recognized for his work in the educational community at large, Dr. Haynes has provided wise counsel and technical assistance for many important organizations and groups including the Education Commission of the States, The National Educational Goals Panel, the Embassy of Canada, the Merck Corporation, Coors, The Ford and Mott Foundations, and numerous other institutions and organizations in both the non-profit and private sectors. He has also served as an consultant to universities both here and abroad and to private sector organizations and as an evaluator for government agencies and regional accreditation bodies.

He holds the B.A. degree in History from Southern University, the M.A. in American History from Carnegie-Mellon University, and the Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from The Ohio State University. He is a member of many notable societies boards, commissions, civic organizations, and professional. organizations, including Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Black America, The Cosmos Club of Washington, The Council for Excellence in Government, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which presented him with a Special Award in 2002 for his outstanding work in the field of education. In addition to the award received from Omega he has been the recipient of numerous recognitions and honors for making positive contributions in advancing the cause of education and, for improving the quality of life for all. In this regard Dr. Haynes has received nine honorary degrees including, one from The Ohio State University. He is member and past Chairman of the Trustees at Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, DC.

While Dr. Haynes was born in Boston, Massachusetts he is a native son of the South. He is married to the former Mary J. Sensley. They have four children all of whom are making positive contributions to the society. The Haynes reside in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.

Updated: 10/13/2003