Brenda Dann-Messier

From 1996 to 1999 - after her first stint with the Department of Education - Dann-Messier worked at The Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University as a special projects manager. There she led research on welfare reform and access to higher education for low-income students.

Dorcas Place

But it was at Dorcas Place - Rhode Island's largest adult education center - where Dann-Messier really flourished as an advocate for family literacy, college preparation and vocational education. She served as president from 1999 until she came to Washington.

When she arrived 10 years ago, the center served a narrow demographic of 100 English-speaking women. It prospered under her direction.

"When I left to take this job, we were serving 1,000 low-income women and men in five comprehensive programs," she said.

One of her most memorable accomplishments at Dorcas Place was establishing the Rhode Island Welcome Back Center to assist foreign professionals find their footing in the U.S.

"In Providence where I worked, there were hundreds of immigrant professionals who were doctors, lawyers, nurses, psychologists, biologists, who were unable to work for a number of reasons. They couldn't speak English, their credentials weren't recognized in our country, or their transcripts couldn't be recovered."

The Welcome Back Center helped these adults learn to read and write, speak English and get their GED credentials.

Dann-Messier brings her experience and expertise from Dorcas Place to her new office, though she admits she will miss her former post.

"I will miss the students very much. But I promised them that I would carry their stories to my work here in Washington."

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