By Libby Nelson

Washington

The Senate education committee will vote Wednesday on the nomination of Brenda Dann-Messier, president of a Rhode Island adult-education center, to lead the Education Department's Office of Adult and Vocational Education.

If confirmed, as expected, Ms. Dann-Messier would oversee adult education, adult literacy, career and technical education, and the nation's community colleges. President Obama has proposed $12-billion in grant money to strengthen community-college programs over the next decade, saying the colleges are essential to improving the economy and training workers for new jobs.

The Education Department has several former community-college leaders in key positions: The undersecretary of education, Martha J. Kanter, is a former chancellor of a large community-college district, and Glenn Cummings, who would be Ms. Dann-Messier's deputy, if she is confirmed, was a community-college dean.

Ms. Dann-Messier herself has not worked recently at a community college, but she did administer two federal programs—the TRIO talent search and Educational Opportunity Centers—through the Community College of Rhode Island from 1987 to 1993. Since 1999, she has been president of Dorcas Place, a center in Providence, R.I., that focuses on adult literacy, work-force education, and college preparation, sometimes working in partnership with the Community College of Rhode Island.

David Baime, vice president for government relations at the American Association of Community Colleges, said community colleges were "very pleased" with Ms. Dann-Messier's nomination and "not concerned about that lack of direct experience."

"Community colleges are getting more involved with the adult-education programs in their states, more of them are administering the programs," Mr. Baime continued. "We're very interested in seeing that program enhanced, so we think it's actually a good sign, in many respects, that she was selected for this position."

Sabrina Kidwai, a spokeswoman for the Association for Career and Technical Education, said the organization was familiar with Ms. Dann-Messier's work and supported her nomination. "She has seen a strong commitment to adult learning, literacy, and transitioning students into postsecondary education, which are key elements in seeing youth and adults prepared to enter the work force," Ms. Kidwai said.

Ms. Dann-Messier did not immediately return calls seeking comment.