HARRISBURG – Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) has been named Chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee for the 2025-2026 legislative session.
Culver’s appointment follows yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony, which marked the beginning of her first four-year term in the Senate, representing the 27th Senatorial District. Previously, she served a partial term left by the departure of former Sen. John Gordner, as well as seven terms in the House of Representatives.
“Being appointed Chair of the Education Committee as a relatively new member of the Senate is a tremendous honor and one that I do not take lightly,” Culver said. “I am grateful to Sen. Ward for entrusting me with this responsibility.”
Committee Chairmanships are designated by Sen. Kim Ward, Senate President Pro Tempore.
“Sen. Culver’s knowledge, experience and understanding of how to navigate important and complex issues such as education make her an excellent choice to chair the Senate Education Committee,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. “Beyond the basics of reading, writing, and math, we need to make sure our students are on a trajectory to move on to a college, university, or trade school as we prepare our students for jobs as we create the workforce for tomorrow. I am confident under Sen. Culver’s leadership we will be able to make strides in putting our students on a pathway towards success.”
The Senate Education Committee is responsible for issues and legislation related to Pennsylvania’s education system, including school safety, funding issues, and post-secondary opportunities for students.
The Committee has oversight of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), and other state boards and commissions pertaining to education.
“My approach to policy issues in Harrisburg has been and always will be about doing good for the people of Pennsylvania. That will ring true in my role as Chair of the Education Committee,” stated Culver. “The education of our young people is important – for their own futures and the future of this Commonwealth – so I will have their best interest at the forefront of the work we do as a committee.”
Culver currently serves as a legislative member of the PHEAA Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Senate Early Childhood Education Caucus and the Community College Caucus and co-chairs the Senate PASSHE Caucus. In the 2023-24 legislative session, Culver sponsored legislation and advocated for afterschool funding, which resulted in an $11.5 million appropriation for the Building Opportunity through Out of School Time (BOOST) program in the 2024-25 state budget.
CONTACT: Erin Marsicano