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Today, Dr. Dietra Trent will begin serving as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHI-HBCUs).
Statement from Dr. Tony Allen, Chair of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
“Dr. Dietra Trent’s 25 years of experience in advancing equity and leading efforts to strengthen Virginia’s HBCUs is emblematic of the task in front of us. When I talked with her recently, she was anxious to get to work, just like a Hampton alumna would be. This announcement is a clear example of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to ensuring HBCUs remain central engines of opportunity propelling thousands of citizens into the American middle class. Dr. Glover and I look forward to working with Dr. Trent in her new role.”
As an alumna of Hampton University, Dr. Trent holds a deep commitment to the mission of HBCUs and understands the impact of these institutions on students, graduates, and our country.
Most recently, she held leading roles with George Mason University, including chief of staff and interim VP for Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics.
Dr. Trent has over 25 years of experience working to advance equity for Virginia’s under- resourced communities and in 2016, she was appointed as Virginia’s Secretary of Education.
She has served in the Administrations of three former Governors (including Mark Warner), as well as the Office of Congressman Bobby Scott.
She has a wealth of federal, state, and higher education experience.
She has led efforts to strengthen Virginia’s HBCUs, including:
- Ensuring they were spared from budget cuts
- Acquiring state funding for student success centers
- Acquiring state funds for need-based financial aid
- Promoting the work of HBCUs across the state
Dietra Trent earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Hampton University and completed her master’s and doctoral degrees in Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has over twenty-five years of experience working to advance equity for Virginia’s most disadvantaged populations. Most recently, she served in several leadership positions at George Mason University, including chief of staff and interim VP for Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics. In 2016, Dr. Trent was appointed as Virginia’s Secretary of Education. Prior to her appointment, she served as Deputy Secretary of Education, a position she also held during the administration of then-Governor Tim Kaine. Having served in the Administrations of three former Governors (including Mark Warner), as well as the Office of Congressman Bobby Scott, she has a wealth of federal, state, and higher education experience.
