Highlights
- President Trump has nominated David Barker of Iowa to lead the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education.
- Barker’s appointment comes after the departure of Nasser Paydar, who now leads the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
- Barker’s background includes academia, real estate business, and leadership on Iowa’s Board of Regents.
- His nomination requires U.S. Senate confirmation.
- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has expressed strong support for Barker’s nomination.
President Donald Trump has nominated Iowa businessman and higher education leader David Barker to serve as the next Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education.
The announcement comes following the departure of Nasser Paydar, who left the position in April to become president of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Barker, a well-known figure in Iowa’s education and business circles, currently serves on the Iowa Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s three public universities. He was initially appointed to the board in 2019 and was recently confirmed for another six-year term extending through 2031.
Barker’s Professional and Academic Background
Barker brings a combination of academic and business experience to the nomination. He earned a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago and studied at the London School of Economics.
His career began at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York before he returned to Iowa City in 1994. Since then, Barker has taught economics courses at both the University of Iowa and the University of Chicago.
Beyond academia, Barker is a partner at Barker Companies, a real estate development firm based in Iowa City. His portfolio includes apartments, office buildings, an entertainment venue, and convenience stores. He also serves as the finance chair for the Iowa Republican Party.
Reaction and Next Steps
The nomination has received public support from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. In a social media post, she stated, “Congratulations to Iowan David Barker on his nomination as Assistant Secretary of Post Secondary Education! David’s service on the Iowa Board of Regents has prepared him to hit the ground running and have an immediate positive impact on our higher education system.”
Barker’s appointment is now subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate. If confirmed, he will play a significant role in shaping federal policies affecting colleges and universities across the United States.
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