(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman is one of three governors and business leaders joining the Board of Directors of a national group advocating for improvements in education that help American students compete and prosper in college and their future careers. 

Achieve announced today that Tenn. Gov. Phil Bredesen and Mark B. Greir, Vice Chairman of Prudential Financial Inc., and Gov. Heineman would be joining the board. 

“Ensuring Nebraska students receive a quality education has been a priority for me since taking office,” Gov. Heineman said. “In Nebraska, we’ve addressed several areas of school reform in recent years. This is an opportunity to talk with other states about the advances they are making and get input from some of the nation’s business leaders about their needs when it comes to hiring graduates with the right skills and training.”

Achieve President Mike Cohen said, “We are extremely pleased to add these three well respected education leaders to Achieve’s Board. Governor Heineman’s commitment to education reform and his perspective on ensuring that all students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and their careers will be a welcome voice.” 

The co-chairs of the Achieve Board are Intel Corporation Chairman Craig R. Barrett and Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Other board members include: R.I. Gov. Donald Carcieri; Mich. Gov. Jennifer Granholm; Nationwide CEO Jerry Jurgensen; and Edward B. Rust, Jr., Chairman & CEO of State Farm Insurance. 

Created by the nation’s governors and business leaders, Achieve is a bipartisan, non-profit organization working with states to raise academic standards, improve assessments and strengthen accountability in schools. At the 2005 National Education Summit, Achieve launched the American Diploma Project (ADP) Network, a coalition including 34 states reaching nearly 85 percent of public school students in the U.S. that strives to align high school expectations with the demands of college and careers. More information on Achieve and its programs is available at http://www.achieve.org.