A Resourceful, Unique Pro

Diane Auer Jones will make her mark in the short period of time she will serve as Asst. Secretary for Post-Secondary.

Those who scoff at her qualification, lack of PhD or elite academic credentials on her transcript, without taking into account the totality of her experience only some of which is published in various biographical sketches are in for a real surprise.

Ms. Jones is a brilliant, hard-working, quick-learning professional who not only has tremendous knowledge of higher education and areas in which it needs reform, she is a multifaceted talent whose unique background and experience gives her special qualifications to provide leadership on higher education issues that she would never have gained had she followed the conventional “up the ladder” academic progression.

While her academic and public policy background is substantial; additionally, she enjoyed some unique experiences which help her understand higher education’s benefits and short-comings as seen by business and industry as well as the greater public and private sectors. Further, Ms. Jones has gained her broad Washington experience while fulfilling her role as a working mom deeply involved in her children’s education home-schooling them part of the way.

To suggest Ms. Jones “fits the pattern of officious know-nothings who are not intellectuals but glory and money-seeking paper shufflers” shows the point-of-view of a person who has no knowledge of Diane Auer Jones’s unique talents, what motivates her, or why she is such a brilliant choice in the twilight of the Bush Administration. These are simply generic criticisms that must be promptly dismissed as having absolutely no merit. The logical fallacy of the suggestion is obvious.

As someone who has had the pleasure of working with Ms. Jones in the past, I will warn her critics, she is no stranger to low expectations and exceeding them to the highest degree. Stand back while she proves you wrong. You’ll not find a more conscientious, fair-minded, thorough, imaginative professional willing to make the sacrifices required of public service. Her motivation has nothing to do with status or finance. Her new position is another step on a remarkable journey for a truly unique person who had dedicated her life to the benefits of learning and discovery.

Rob Bannister, educator, at 5:45 am EDT on August 19, 2007

Jones appointment

I have no idea whether Jones would be effective in her role as chief guru for higher ed, but I chuckle at the suggestion that she obviously has higher education experience — as a cc professor? It merely highlights the dimwitted nonsense the Bush adm. seems to pump into their agenda. I wish Jones well, and I am the last person who would argue that a Ph.D is necessary to take on the task, but don’t try to pump up her academic credentials. Until she spends time at U of Maryland, or Johns Hopkins and produces an academic paper or two don’t claim she has significant higher ed experience.

Fred Flener, Retired at University Professionals of Illinois, at 3:35 pm EDT on May 23, 2007

Good Choice Near the End

Congratulations To President Bush for making a good choice in Diane Jones. It is refreshing to see that the White House can occasionally make a wise decision in its remaining reign.

I am please to see that she has a strong science background. A good role model for future women in science/education/politics.

Yes, she has a background in the cc area of education. Let’s not be too arrogant you university folks. That is one of the major negatives in Education in the U.S., today. The inability of K-16 educators and administrators to get along with each other. The condescending attitudes are so petty and are really an indication of insecurity on the part of the arrogant ones.

Maybe Ms. Jones can achieve something positive in the next 18 months to give the Bush administration a feather in its cap! It could use one.

G. Casper, Grants writer, at 7:40 am EDT on May 24, 2007

Of course

” .. What ticked me off was the white house trying to impress others with there claim of significant academic experience ..”

Of course. Working with the executive managements of Princeton University, National Science Foundation, and American Association of Universities has nothing to do with higher ed.

Those Bush people are so stupid — Joy Behar is right.

Buzz, at 9:25 am EDT on May 28, 2007