Regent David Barker nominated for U.S. assistant secretary for postsecondary education

Iowa Board of Regents member David Barker has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as assistant secretary for postsecondary education, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Education, if appointed, Barker’s job will include improving “outcomes and accountability” in higher education through accreditation reforms and changing federal student aid programs for the better. He would also make sure “grant programs are invested in agency priorities,” the release stated.

Sen. Joni Ernst called Barker a “great pick” in the news release, citing his long career and work on the board.

“Sixth generation Iowan David Barker has a proven 40-year track record as a successful entrepreneur and led the fight on the Iowa Board of Regents to undo restrictive COVID-19 mandates on students,” Ernst said in the release.

Barker, who has served on the board of regents since 2019, was confirmed by the Iowa Senate to continue his tenure on the board in late April. His term is set to expire in 2031.

He also works as a partner in Barker Companies, which oversees and develops real estate, and was previously an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, according to his board of regents biography.

In response to whether Barker is planning to step down from the board, board of regents spokesperson Josh Lehman said in an email he is still a member. Sherry Bates, president of the board of regents, congratulated Barker for the nomination in a statement.

“He will bring his tremendous knowledge, expertise and passion to that role,” Bates said. “It’s great that a fellow Iowan has been selected for this position, and we wish him well.”