On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, the White House announced that President Donald Trump will nominate Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education President Robert King as assistant secretary for postsecondary education at the Department of Education. King has served more than nine years as president of the Council, advancing statewide efforts to work collaboratively with his counterparts in K-12 education and led efforts for an equitable funding model for public colleges and universities. Earlier this year, King announced plans to retire in June, but was asked to stay while a national search is being conducted for his replacement. The Council hopes to name its fourth president by November. The timeline for King’s departure has not been set.