Kathleen A. Smith to Join Access Group, Inc.

WEST CHESTER, Pa., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Access Group announced today that Kathleen A. Smith will be joining the organization as its Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, Policy and Member Services as of May 29, 2013. 

In this newly created, Washington, D.C.-based position, Kathleen will lead the development and implementation of two key goals in Access Group's recently adopted Strategic Plan—(1) establishing Access Group as a leading voice in the public debate around access, affordability and the value of a legal education, and (2) maintaining and expanding the high quality programs and services that Access Group has historically offered to its Member school administrators, students and prospective students.  Moreover, Kathleen will serve as an integral part of the Access Group Executive Management Team which is charged with achieving the Company's broader goals and objectives.

Kathleen brings substantial depth and breadth in the higher education policy arena.  For the past four years, Kathleen has served as Chief of Staff to the U.S. Department of Education's Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Innovation.  Her prior experience includes service as President of the Education Finance Council, Professional Staff Member to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Director of Federal Relations for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Authority. 

"Kathleen is a well-known and respected professional across the various policy-making constituencies," commented Christopher P. Chapman, Access Group's President and Chief Executive Officer.  "I cannot be more pleased that Kathleen will be driving Access Group's policy and Member School initiatives in furtherance of our mission."

"I am excited for the opportunity to join such a dynamic organization and work together with its talented and committed leadership to advance its mission," stated Smith. "Over the years, I have developed tremendous respect for Access Group and look forward to working to enhance its programs and services while building a foundation to create a more informed and effective conversation on issues critical to the organization and its Member Schools."

Kathleen earned a B.A. at D'Youville College, an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of New Haven, and an M.A. in Communication: Journalism and Public Affairs from American University.

About Access Group, Inc.

Access Group, based in West Chester, PA, is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of 192 state and nonprofit American Bar Association-accredited U.S. law schools.  Founded in 1983, Access Group's service-driven mission leads us to focus on relevant issues and solutions addressing education financing and debt management to help aspiring professionals achieve success. From providing an array of student loan options to educational programs for students and schools to student loan policy advocacy, Access Group has continually evolved to meet the ever-changing challenges and needs of the legal education community, as well as the graduate and professional school community more generally.

SOURCE Access Group, Inc.