Date Posted: May 19, 2008
Job ID: MBHE108
Job Title: Commissioner of Higher Education
Job Function: Executive Management
Employer: Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
Location: Boston, MA

Description:

Commissioner of Higher Education

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education invites letters of intent and résumés and/or nominations for the position of Commissioner of Higher Education for the Board of Higher Education. The Commissioner is the Chief Executive Officer of the Board, responsible for implementing policies determined by the Board, and the chief school officer for higher education in the Commonwealth. The position is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Commissioner, through the Board, and in collaboration with the Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth, is responsible for overall coordination of the public higher education system, which includes the five campuses of the University of Massachusetts, nine campuses of the Massachusetts state colleges, and fifteen campuses of the Massachusetts community colleges. The Board of Higher Education is responsible for long-range strategic planning, the approval of new academic programs, collective bargaining for bargaining units at the state and community colleges, charter oversight of independent institutions, administration of state financial aid programs, and affirmative action.

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education is seeking a recognized leader with a passion for higher education and academic excellence, who will serve as an advocate for public higher education in Massachusetts. The ideal candidate will be a proactive and creative candidate who will lead public and private higher education within a renewed spirit of collaboration and coordination of the sectors of early, primary and secondary education as well the workforce and economic development sector. The selected individual will be an outstanding communicator with an awareness of the responsibilities of higher education in advancing the state’s social and economic progress. The individual will bring a commitment to and understanding of the multiple missions of a complex system and endeavor to provide the broadest public access to programs of excellence.

The Search Committee’s review of candidates is underway, and will continue until the position is filled. A letter of intent and résumé and/or nominations should be sent to:

Frederick W. Clark, Jr., Chair
Commissioner of Higher Education Search Committee
One Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA  02108
Tel: 617-994-6950
www.mass.edu