Lillian Lowery earned a doctorate of education in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Polytechnic and State University, a master’s degree in education in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a bachelor’s degree in English education from North Carolina Central University.
She is a former Maryland State Superintendent of Schools and Delaware Secretary of Education. Prior to her roles at the state level, Lowery served as a district superintendent and high school principal. She was appointed to her current role as vice president of Student and Teacher Assessments at Educational Testing Service (ETS) in September 2018.
Lowery joined ETS from The Education Trust in Washington, D.C., where she served as a content expert on issues related to pre–K through 12 education and fostered collaborations with national, state and local organizations. She is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Prior to her roles in education administration and advocacy, Lowery served as an English department chair and taught English in school districts in Virginia and North Carolina.