Russlynn Ali

Russlynn Ali was confirmed as the assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education on May 1st. Prior to her appointment as Assistant Secretary, Ms. Ali was vice president of the Education Trust and founding director of the Education Trust-West, the West Coast partner of EdTrust. The Education Trust organizations work to promote high academic achievement for all students at all levels, with an emphasis on serving Latino, African American, Native American and low-income students. Ali has held senior positions at several other education-related organizations, including liaison to the president of the Children's Defense Fund in Washington, D.C.; chief of staff to the president of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education; and deputy co-director of Advancement Project. Ali attended Spelman College and graduated from American University with a bachelor's degree in law and society. She also holds a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law. Ali practiced corporate and civil rights law and served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California School of Law prior to her career in the non-profit sector.