Betsy DeVos, a 1979 graduate of Calvin College, has been selected to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s education secretary. DeVos, who earned a bachelor of arts degree in the economics group at Calvin, is the first Calvin College graduate chosen to serve in the Cabinet of the President of the United States.

DeVos’ leadership in the area of education reaches back decades, and continues today, as she serves as chair of the Alliance for School Choice, American Federation for Children and the Great Lakes Education Project. She also serves as a board member at The Potter’s House School and the Foundation for Excellence in Education.

In the words of the whitehouse.gov website, "the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office. The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself."

The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.

DeVos’ appointment is pending approval by the U.S. Senate.