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The Secretary of Higher Education is the primary advisor to the Governor on higher education initiatives and incentive programs. The Secretary reviews requests for State support from institutions and communicates with educational leaders across the State to advance education at all levels. The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education works to ensure that our richly diverse population of full and part-time students has access to a high-quality higher education. The agency administers the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program for disadvantaged students. The agency reviews petitions from higher education institutions seeking to expand their missions, and the agency reviews licensure petitions and conducts site visits before new colleges or universities are permitted to open in the State. The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education is the lead agency of communication with the federal government concerning higher education issues. The Secretary works to maximize the talent and resources in our colleges and universities, matching world-class research with the needs of industry, the demands of students and the policy goals of the State.