December 10, 2004

Director of Student-Aid Advisory Panel Resigns

By STEPHEN BURD

Brian K. Fitzgerald, a leading expert on federal higher-education policy, is leaving his post as staff director of a Congressionally appointed panel that counsels lawmakers and the U.S. Education Department on student-aid issues.

In January he will become executive director of a nonprofit group of college and business leaders.

Mr. Fitzgerald has been in charge of the independent Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance since its inception, in 1988.

Under his