MaryEllen McGuire is the executive director of New America's Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI). Prior to joining New America, Ms. McGuire served on the White House Domestic Policy Council as President Obama’s senior advisor for education. In this capacity she focused her efforts on developing and advancing the President’s higher education agenda. Apart from her work with the Administration, MaryEllen previously served as the senior education policy advisor to Senator Chris Dodd on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and Majority Staff Director of the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families. Before her time with Senator Dodd, she worked on education and social policy issues for then Senator Joe Biden, was the assistant director of research to former First Lady Hillary Clinton, worked for the Connecticut General Assembly, and served as a Connecticut public school teacher. She also served as the director of New America’s Education Program from 2008-2009.
In 2002, Ms. McGuire received her Ph.D. in politics and education from Columbia University and holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Connecticut. She has spent her entire career committed to equity and excellence in education.