One of the highlights of APPAM’s 40th Annual Fall Research Conference was the keynote address by John B. King, Jr. at The Equity & Inclusion Luncheon on Friday, November 9, 2018. Through his work as Secretary of Education, King was a seminal figure in President Barack Obama’s administration: In addition to the distinction of being the first African-American and Puerto Rican to serve as a U.S. Secretary of Education, he became one of the nation’s staunchest advocates for providing college education to prison inmates, and for using Title II funds to aid in the development and preparation of teachers. Now, as President and CEO of The Education Trust, he continues to exert a strong, positive influence over young professionals and students of public policy, in particular. In the weeks following his keynote address, King graciously participated in an interview with APPAM, in which he discusses his recommendations for the Trump administration, ideas for making college more accessible to underserved students, partnerships between educators and policymakers against recent waves of hate, the advancement of evidence-based policy research, and his own idols. The interview follows in its entirety...