Posts Categorized: News

A Recap of the 2021 State Legislative Sessions in New England: Higher Ed and Workforce Development

Amid a lingering pandemic, a surprise merger proposal and strong efforts to make college free or debt-free, the 2021 legislative session in New England was one for the books. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of this year’s state legislative sessions ... Sexual misconduct and assault Lawmakers in Connecticut and Massachusetts passed legislation focused on college campus ...

Wheaton Taps Emerson Provost as President; Amherst Leader Will Step Down Next Summer

Comings and Goings ... Wheaton College named Emerson College Provost and VP for Academic Affairs Michaele Whelan to be the Norton, Mass., college's ninth president, succeeding Dennis M. Hanno, who last year announced he would step down after leading the college since 2014. Biddy Martin announced she will leave the presidency of Amherst College next summer after 11 years as head of ...

Libby Gets the Permanent Label; Brown University Prof to Lead Heterodox Academy

Comings and Goings ... The Maine Community College System named Central Maine Community College interim President Betsy Libby to the permanent presidency of the Auburn-based community college. Libby had become interim president of the campus in summer 2020. Political theorist and professor John Tomasi will depart Brown University after 25 years to serve as inaugural president of Heterodo...

Commonly Creative

NEBHE adds a new Cost Savings program ... Creative Commons (CC) has joined NEBHE’s Cost Savings Programs and will offer a 15% regional discount on individual and institution purchases of CC professional learning opportunities through June 30, 2022. Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that provides Creative Commons licenses and public domain tools that give every person and organ...

New Education Commish Nominated in Connecticut

Comings and Goings ... Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont nominated Charlene M. Russell-Tucker as the state's next commissioner of education, succeeding Miguel Cardona, who was tapped earlier this year to serve as U.S. secretary of education. A 20-year employee of the Connecticut Education Department, Russell-Tucker oversaw its Office of Student Supports and Organizational Effectiveness before bec...

Learning, All Grown Up

Key takeaways from data on adult learners in New England ... Educational opportunities for those age 25 and older allow people already in the workforce to improve their skills, employment opportunities and wages in ways that they may not otherwise be able to. Changing economic conditions, which increasingly limit opportunities to those with postsecondary degrees, mean that the incentives ...

Derr to the Birds, Brown Out at New England Law

Comings and Goings ... Sterling College announced that President Matthew Derr will step down from the role in October. The trustees named Lori Collins-Hall, a former Antioch College provost and Teagle Scholar who joined Sterling in March, to be interim president. An avid birder, Derr will pursue the American Birding Association Big Year challenge to record as many native bird sightings as p...

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Names First Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

Comings and Goings ... Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) appointed Natalie Nevárez to be the first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at the nonprofit research organization on Cape Cod. Nevárez formerly served as associate director for faculty diversity and development at Columbia University's School of Arts and Sciences. Montserrat College of Art announced three n...

Moloney Will Leave Helm of UMass Lowell

Comings and Goings ... UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney announced she will step down as chancellor in June 2022 after six years as chancellor and, before that, eight years as executive vice chancellor, in her 37-year tenure at the university. Among other accomplishments, Moloney has been a national leader in integrating entrepreneurial lessons in campus life and fostering industry-hi...

Diversity Chiefs, Student Loan Reformers Among Key Job-Changers

Comings and Goings ... Harvard Business School appointed Terrill L. Drake as its inaugural chief diversity and inclusion officer. His work will focus on implementing the B-school’s Racial Equity Action Plan. Currently associate dean for strategic initiatives and head diversity officer at the Villanova School of Business, Drake is among a wave of New England college hires in diversity, equit...