Martha J. Kanter
Martha J. Kanter was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the undersecretary of education and was confirmed by the Senate in 2009. From 2003 to 2009, Kanter had served as chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, one of the nation’s largest community college districts. In 1977, after serving as an alternative teacher in Massachusetts and New York high schools, Kanter established the first program for students with learning disabilities at San Jose City College in California.
She then served as a director, dean and subsequently as vice chancellor for policy and research for the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office in Sacramento, returning to San Jose City College as vice president of instruction and student services in 1990. In 1993, she was named president of De Anza College and served in this position until becoming chancellor.
Kanter holds a doctorate in organization and leadership from the University of San Francisco, a master's degree in education from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Brandeis University.