Governor Bob Wise, author of the book Raising the Grade: How High School Reform Can Save Our Youth And Our Nation, became president of the Alliance for Excellent Education in February 2005. Since joining the Alliance, Governor Wise has become a sought-after speaker and advisor on education issues. He has advised the U.S. Department of Education and frequently testifies before the U.S. Congress. As governor of West Virginia from 2001–2005, he fought for and signed legislation to fund the PROMISE Scholarship Program and created the Governor’s Helpline for Safer Schools. During his administration, West Virginia saw a significant increase in the number of students completing high school and entering college. From 1983–2001, Governor Wise served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of West Virginia, during which he aggressively worked to preserve federal financial aid for students to attend college. Wise also serves on the Public Education Network’s board of directors; and is an advisory committee member for a number of organizations, among them the Campaign for Educational Equity, Editorial Projects in Education, the National High School Center, and the Bay Area Coalition For Equitable Schools. Governor Wise earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a JD from Tulane University of Law.