Michael Brickman

Michael Brickman is an adjunct fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he focuses on higher education and cutting-edge innovation in education reform. He concurrently develops state policy at the Cicero Institute and advises companies, nonprofits, and investors on the innovations that are changing the way we work and learn.

Most recently, Mr. Brickman was a senior adviser to the US under secretary of education. While at the Department of Education, he developed and implemented a government-wide human capital planning transformation (Executive Order 13932) that replaced college degree requirements with hiring based on skills and competencies. He also led several major reforms of federal regulations on accreditation, distance and competency-based education, and employer-education partnerships.

Previously, Mr. Brickman was national policy director of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, where he focused on empowering parents and promoting high academic standards. He also served in communications roles where he developed and executed high-profile political, corporate, and issued-based messaging campaigns.

Mr. Brickman led education policy for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, where he worked with parents, promoted job creation, and directed more education funds into the classroom. He is responsible for the development and implementation of the University of Wisconsin Flexible Option, the first public, competency-based college credentials. The effort earned praise across the political spectrum and continues to benefit thousands of students.

Mr. Brickman’s writings have often appeared in daily newspapers across the country. He has an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology and a BA in political science from the University of Delaware.