Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education (2009-2015); co-founder, Chicago CRED (Creating Real Economic Destiny), and managing partner at Emerson Collective, will participate in conversation with Jennifer Jennings, Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs, Faculty Associate of the Office of Population Research, and Director of the Education Research Section (ERS) at Princeton.

As managing partner at Emerson Collective, Duncan returns to Chicago on a mission to improve the lives of young adults in his hometown. Through partnerships with local business leaders, community organizers, and nonprofit groups, Duncan aims to create job and life opportunities for disconnected youth between the ages of 17 and 24.

Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Duncan served as chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools. From 2001 to 2008, Duncan won praise for uniting the city’s stakeholders behind an education agenda that included opening 100 new schools; expanding after-school, summer learning, early childhood, and college access programs; dramatically boosting the caliber of teachers; and building public-private partnerships around a variety of education initiatives. Duncan graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1987, majoring in sociology. At Harvard he served as co-captain of the basketball team and was named a first team Academic All-American.

Emerson Collective is an organization dedicated to removing barriers to opportunity so people can live to their full potential. Established by Laurene Powell Jobs, Emerson Collective centers its work on education, immigration reform, the environment and other social justice initiatives.

Arne serves on the boards of: Ariel Capital Management, Aspen Institute, Communities in Schools, Lucas Museum, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, National Association of Basketball Coaches, Pluralsight, Revolution Foods, Thrive-Chicago and Catapult Learning, LLC. He also serves as Co-chair of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.

Jennifer Jennings’ research interests are racial, socioeconomic, and gender disparities in educational and health outcomes. A Princeton alumna, earned a B.A. cum laude from the Woodrow Wilson School, and a certificate in Program in Teacher Preparation-NJ Social Studies Certification, a Masters of Philosophy in Education from the University of Cambridge, UK and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Columbia University with distinction.

This talk is part of the School’s Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Leadership through Mentorship Program.

This event is open to SPIA students only. To registration please visit here.