The President today announced his intention to nominate Jean K. Elder, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (Human Development Services). She would succeed Dorcas R. Hardy.
Since June 1986 Dr. Elder has been Acting Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (Human Development Services). Previously, she was Commissioner on Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health and Human Services, 1982-1986; a consultant for special education services, Michigan Department of Education, Lansing , 1981-1982; and president of J&J Associates, an educational consulting firm in Marquette, MI, 1980-1981. At Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Marquette, she was director of planning, evaluation and academic affairs, and an associate professor, 1978-1980; and she was an associate professor, department of education, Northern Michigan University, 1977-1978. She is the author of numerous publications in the field of developmental disabilities, mental retardation, and special education and has lectured widely to State, national, and international audiences.
Dr. Elder graduated from the University of Michigan (B.S., 1963; M.A., 1966; Ph.D., 1969). She is married, has two children, and resides in McLean, VA. Dr. Elder was born on May 30, 1941, in Virginia, MN.
Ronald Reagan, Nomination of Jean K. Elder To Be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/253400