University of Hawaii’s interim president will be at the White House for a national workshop on increasing college access and success for disadvantaged students.

The university says David Lassner is participating in Thursday’s invitation-only event in Washington, D.C., where President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan are scheduled to speak.

Lassner says Hawaii’s goal of having 55 percent of the population holding a college degree by 2025 can’t be achieved without improving access for low-income students.

He says he’s looking forward to learning what works in other states.