Reid appoints Jill Derby to US higher ed panel

Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid is appointing former Nevada Board of Regents Chairwoman Jill Derby to a federal higher education advisory board.

Reid says Derby has been a leader in higher education for nearly two years, and her experience as a regent would be an asset to the panel.

The board counsels the secretary of education on the accreditation and certification process for institutions of higher education. The group meets in Washington, D.C.

Derby is filling the vacancy left by Nevada System on Higher Education Chancellor Dan Klaich, who Reid appointed in 2009.

Derby is a former Nevada Democratic Party chairwoman.