Washington, D.C. — Today, the Center for American Progress announced that Viviann Anguiano has been tapped to serve as vice president of Higher Education and Economic Mobility. In this role, she will lead CAP’s research and policy agenda on economic mobility and expanding opportunity through higher education and workforce policy.
“Viviann has done high-impact work throughout her career to ensure real educational opportunities for people going to college or pursuing a career,” said Neera Tanden, president and CEO at CAP. “We are thrilled that she is taking on this expanded role at CAP to drive a new agenda on higher education and workforce issues for the future.”
Anguiano joined CAP in 2025 as the managing director of Higher Education Policy, bringing more than 15 years of leadership experience across a range of policy issues in expanding economic opportunity at the highest levels of government, national and community-based nonprofits, and educational institutions.
“Our work ahead must not only protect education as a fundamental right in a functioning democracy but transform it so that all people can have prosperous lives,” said Anguiano. “I look forward to building on CAP’s work to make that a reality.”
Prior to her time at CAP, Anguiano served in the White House Domestic Policy Council as the director of education to President Joe Biden. In this role, she championed the administration’s historic higher education achievements, including lowering costs and supporting financial stability for more than 5 million Americans.
Prior to her appointment in the executive branch, Anguiano’s experience includes serving on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee as the deputy director of education to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and as senior policy adviser to Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). She also helped found Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago, a trailblazing institution designed to serve first-generation and low-income students.
For more information or to speak with an expert, contact Mishka Espey at [email protected].