U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan wants a lawyer with a deeply unique understanding of academic challenges facing students of color to oversee the civil rights division in his department.

If confirmed, Duncan will get both in the form of Russlynn Ali, whom he nominated Wednesday to fill the position. Ali knows first-hand the challenges faced by students of color, something education advocates praised upon hearing about her nomination.

“Based on what I know about her, she has the qualifications and the temperament to be confirmed to the position,” said Dr. Antonio R. Flores,  president and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), representing 450 colleges and universities that serve two-thirds of the more than 2 million Hispanic students in U.S. higher education.

“Considering her experience in law and prior experience with the Board of Education in L.A., and other experiences she has had with the Children’s Defense Fund, I think she has had exposure to the realities faced by young people and students across the board,” Flores added. “She has experience that is important to bring to a position like this. She is a lawyer by training and understands the legal aspects of her role.”

Ali attended Spelman College and graduated from American University with a bachelor’s degree in law and society. She also holds a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.

She is currently a vice president of the Education Trust, which works to promote academic achievement for students at all levels, with an emphasis on serving Latino, African American, Native American and low-income students. She also held the position of liaison to the president of the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, D.C.

In addition to her role at the Children’s Defense Fund, Ali has served as assistant director of policy and research for The Broad Foundation in Los Angeles. While at the foundation, she served as chief of staff to the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education president. Prior to joining The Broad Foundation, she was counsel to the civil rights law firm English, Munger & Rice in Los Angeles, concurrently serving as deputy co-director of the Advancement Project and adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California School of Law.