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EO 14124Executive OrderBiden · D

Executive Order 14124

White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions

This executive order establishes a White House Initiative within the Department of Education and a President's Board of Advisors to strengthen Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) by improving their access to federal resources, promoting best practices, and expanding educational and economic opportunities for Hispanic and Latino students. The Initiative focuses on addressing funding disparities, improving infrastructure, aligning programs with workforce needs, and building partnerships with public and private organizations.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 59585

Impact dates

  1. Periodic report to President from Board on Board's progress

  2. Annual report to President on Initiative progress

Key directives

  • Establish White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions within Department of Education
  • Secretary of Education shall serve as Chair and designate an Executive Director
  • Executive Director shall manage day-to-day operations and coordinate with White House Office of Public Engagement
  • Initiative shall focus on nine specified goals including federal resource access, best practices, STEM career preparation, fiscal security, partnerships, federal recruitment, policymaking participation, educator development, and data/analytics support
  • Executive Director shall report to President annually on Initiative progress
  • Executive Director shall meet regularly with HSI students, leaders, and representatives
  • Department shall provide funding and administrative support within existing appropriations
  • Establish President's Board of Advisors on Hispanic-Serving Institutions with not more than 21 presidentially appointed members
  • President shall designate Board Chair and may designate Vice Chair
  • Board shall provide advice to President through Secretary on four specified areas
  • Board shall periodically report to President through Secretary
  • Agency heads shall assist and provide information to Initiative and Board

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of White House Initiative within Department of Education
  • Establishment of President's Board of Advisors on HSIs
  • Secretary of Education designated as Chair of Initiative
  • Requirement for Secretary to designate Executive Director

Near term (90d)

  • Executive Director appointment and staffing
  • Initiation of regular meetings with HSI students and leaders
  • Coordination with other White House Initiatives on shared priorities

Long term

  • Annual reporting to President on Initiative progress
  • Periodic reporting from Board to President through Secretary
  • Development of partnerships between HSIs and philanthropic/private-sector organizations
  • Strengthening federal recruitment pathways at HSIs
  • Improving fiscal security and infrastructure of HSIs

Risks & tensions

  • Funding contingent on 'existing appropriations' and 'availability of appropriations' — no new mandatory funding allocated, limiting structural impact
  • Board members serve without compensation, which may constrain participation from senior leaders
  • Vague 'periodic' reporting requirement for Board lacks specificity on frequency
  • EO explicitly disclaims creating enforceable rights, limiting accountability mechanisms
  • Reliance on voluntary agency cooperation and detail of personnel may create implementation gaps
  • Potential tension between HSI-specific focus and broader higher education equity goals
Executive Order 14124: White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions · Executive Orders