About Carol H. Rasco
President and CEO Reading Is Fundamental, Inc.
In November 2001, Carol Hampton Rasco was named president and chief executive officer of Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., America’s oldest and largest nonprofit children’s and family literacy organization. Throughout her life, Rasco has been a devoted advocate for children, youth, and families, as a professional and as a volunteer.
Prior to this position, Rasco was the executive director for government relations at the College Board. From 1997 through 2000, Rasco served as the Senior Adviser to U.S. Secretary of Education, Richard W. Riley, and as director of the America Reads Challenge, a four-year national campaign to promote the importance of all children reading well and independently by the end of the third grade. Previously, Rasco worked for four years in the White House as domestic policy adviser to the president and directed the Domestic Policy Council.
Rasco, originally from Arkansas, worked as the chief policy adviser in the Arkansas governor’s office for ten years and also served as the liaison to the National Governors’ Association. Rasco also has extensive experience as a volunteer in arts organizations and disability advocacy groups.
Rasco received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and earned a master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas. She has taught in the public school system and worked as a middle school counselor. She is the mother of Hamp and Mary-Margaret.
