The United States Department of Education, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education (July 2019 to the present)

I was nominated by the President, and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the Assistant Secretary. Due to the partisan acrimony that existed at the time, it only took seven months to get confirmed which then allowed me to begin serving as the leader of the Office of Postsecondary Education. In that role I was responsible for the oversight and administration of all grant programs appropriated for institutions of higher education. (TRIO, GEAR Up, International programs including the Fulbright-Hayes grants). In addition, our Office developed and implemented many of the regulatory activities affecting higher education. These efforts included negotiated rule making for rules pertaining to Title IV of the Higher Education Act (Federal Student Aid), accreditation, distance learning, faith based education, as well as collaborating with the Office of Civil Rights on the recently enacted rule on Title IX. Our office also manages the process of recognizing accrediting agencies, who in turn serve as the entities that accredit colleges and universities, the status necessary to enable their students to access federal loans and Pell grants. As the pandemic’s impact was first being felt, we developed and managed a broad based assessment of rules that would need either waivers or time extensions. These changes in practice required extensive review within the Department, and with the White House. Once agreed to, publication across the array of institutions had to be developed and managed, most of which was done through our Office. In addition, when Congress enacted the CARES Act, our Office managed the distribution, communications, reporting and policy development for the $14 billion allocated to higher education institutions and students. Last, we regularly responded to inquiries from Congress, made through formal letters or invitations to testify before Congressional Committees, or through briefings of congressional staff.

The United States Department of Education, Senior Advisor, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (Nov. 2018 to June, 2019)

I was appointed by the Secretary of Education to serve in this position, while awaiting confirmation by the Senate to the position of Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. During this assignment I worked closely with the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education on a variety of matters affecting the implementation of ESSA, the development of a new office to address states and school districts managing natural disasters, and an analysis of the most recent NAEP scores. As part of that effort, we wrote a report recommending the Department alter its practice of reporting those results in order to more fully inform the public and policy makers on the actual results being demonstrated by students across the Country. In that study, we examined American students’ performance on state assessments, PISA, the ASVAB, and the PIAAC.

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, President (January 2009 to Nov. 2018)

I was appointed by the Council to lead the Agency which oversees all of public higher education in the State, and serves as the licensing authority responsible for all private and independent higher education. In addition, the Council manages all basic adult education in Kentucky. The system of public higher education includes eight baccalaureate institutions, including two research campuses (the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville) and six comprehensive universities. In addition, the system includes sixteen community and technical colleges. Collectively, they serve 250,000 degree or certificate seeking students. The Council serves as a policy making body with authority to regulate activity across the system and to determine tuition. As President, my responsibilities included working directly with campus presidents and chief academic officers, legislators, as well as faculty and student organizations. In addition, as president I serve as the chief advisor to the Governor on matters pertaining to higher education. During my tenure, the council has played an expanding role in supporting efforts to reform and improve the K-12 system in the state, working closely with the Commissioner of Education in formulating strategies related to the adoption of the new Kentucky core academic standards, teacher training and professional development. I have led the effort to create and adopt a new strategic plan for the State’s higher education community, and to establish meaningful metrics that will guide its implementation and evaluation. We have also created new policies which have led to the creation of new Diversity Plans at each of our public institutions focused primarily on closing achievement gaps, enrollment and the make-up of our workforce. The plans replace a set of remedial efforts that had been in place in Kentucky for several decades. Currently, we are developing a performance funding formula that will meet the directives of our legislature, and tie a significant portion of state general fund dollar distribution to key elements of campus performance. We are also expanding competency based, on-line degree programs targeted to working adults, and access to dual credit programs designed to encourage more high school students to earn collegiate credits while completing their high school diploma. In addition, working with the State Legislature, we were successful drafting and passing legislation requiring prescribed training for all individuals appointed by the Governor to serve as trustees at all of our public colleges and universities.

The Arizona Community Foundation: President and CEO (February 1, 2006 to December 2008)

I was appointed by the board of directors to lead the Community Foundation, a statewide charitable foundation managing $560 million in assets, and serving the needs of the people of Arizona ranging from healthcare and education to arts, culture, economic development, affordable housing, and scientific research. The foundation awarded over $33 million in grants annually between 2006 and 2008, and developed major initiatives in education reform, early childhood education, designs for multi generational community planning, and the development of rural philanthropy. In addition, the foundation awarded over 1000 scholarships annually to Arizona students attending colleges around the U.S.

The State University of New York, College at Potsdam; Interim President (June, 2005 to January 31, 2006)

I was appointed by the State University Board of Trustees to serve as Interim President at Potsdam College, a comprehensive college serving 4200 undergraduate and Masters degree students. The College, best known for its internationally renowned Crane School of Music, provides a diverse liberal arts curriculum, and strong programs in teacher preparation, mathematics and computer science. In addition to managing the day to day work of the college, I served as an assistant to the coach of the women’s soccer team, built an active relationship with the college’s alumni, enhanced institutional advancement capabilities, developed longer term strategies to stabilize and grow enrollment, and elevate the academic quality of the Arts and Sciences departments and our teacher preparation program.

The State University of New York; Chancellor (December, 1999 - June, 2005)

I was appointed by unanimous vote of the Trustees of the State University of New York to manage a system that functions through 64 campuses, including four major university centers, 24 colleges, five colleges of technology, two health science centers and 30 community colleges. The University educated at that time 415,000 degree-seeking students and over 1.1 million continuing education enrollees. It employed nearly 100,000 people and had an annual operating budget of $8.5 billion. A five-year campaign we initiated to attract $5 billion in new resources over and above annual state operating aid was completed in four years. I worked closely with campus presidents, faculty, as well as corporate and governmental leaders to improve performance at every level of the University system. During my service, enrollment, selectivity, retention, graduation rates, research volume and philanthropy all significantly improved.

New York State Division of the Budget; Director (February, 1998 – December, 1999)

I served as the Governor’s chief policy advisor on state fiscal matters for all areas pertaining to the New York State budget. I was responsible for the development of the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal and acted as the administration’s primary negotiator on the adoption of the State budget, and as the principal advisor on the proper management of all New York state revenues and expenditures.

Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform; Director (January, 1995 – January, 1998)

I was responsible for simultaneously helping grow private-sector jobs while protecting public health and safety by developing a data-driven, common sense approach to regulatory policy in New York State. We also managed the business permits section within the office that provided comprehensive permit and licensing assistance to business start-ups and expansions. We successfully reduced business and government operating costs by more than $3 billion caused by onerous state regulations.

Monroe County Executive, Rochester, New York (January, 1992 – January, 1995)

I was elected the County’s chief executive officer, managing a 5,000-person county workforce in a county with a population of approximately 750,000. My administration restored fiscal integrity to the county government, having inherited a $300 million multi-year shortfall from my predecessor. We developed an array of innovative programs to improve inner-city neighborhoods, grow investment capital for minority entrepreneurs, reduce teen pregnancy and make government service delivery more efficient, applying the principles of total quality management to local government operations.

New York State Legislator, 130th District; Assemblyman (1987 – 1991)

I was elected to three terms in the State Legislature. In addition to the regular duties of the office, I drafted several bills that were enacted into law, including a gender neutral rape statute, and a comprehensive analysis of the future of financing of the New York State Thruway. I drafted legislative initiatives focused on enhancing the role of parents in their children’s school activities, and introduced the concept of Charter Schools into the debate on school reform. I served on several committees, including the committees on education, energy, codes (criminal justice), and housing.

Independent Technology, Inc., Scottsville, New York; Executive Vice President (1988 – 1989)

I served as the principal operating officer for a small privately owned company engaged in communication technology across the United States, and contracted with the National Weather Service to build and maintain radio transmitters.

Attorney; Private Practice (1986 -1988)

I operated a private law practice that did extensive work with small business clients, real estate transactions, criminal defense work, and civil litigation.

Scientific Calculations, Inc., Fishers, New York; Corporate Manager of Personnel (1984 – 1986)

I managed the human resource activities for a multinational corporation manufacturing design software for the electronics industry.

Office of Monroe County District Attorney, Rochester, New York; Prosecutor (1977 – 1983)

I was appointed lead attorney for the federal Organized Crime Strike Force prosecution of local mafia leaders. In addition, I served as supervising attorney for the Violent Felony Offense bureau within the District Attorney’s office.

Office of the San Luis Obispo District Attorney, California; Prosecutor (1972 – 1977)

I handled wide range of criminal cases, including homicides, armed robberies, forcible rape and child abuse.

Education

• Vanderbilt University School of Law, Nashville, Tennessee; JD, 1971
• Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut; BA, 1968

Family

• I am divorced.
• I have four grown children, Elisha, Brendan, James and Jessica, and one grandchild.

Community Service

Over the years, I have served as a volunteer with the United Way, the American Lung Association, Camp Good Days and Special Times, as a trustee of the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester, New York, and on the Advisory Panel of the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

I served for nine years, by appointment of President George W. Bush, as a member of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.

I was appointed by Secretary of State Colin Powell to the Education Committee of the U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

I served as an advisor to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education regarding reauthorization of the Higher Education Act in Congress.

I was elected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and served 2006-2009.

I was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Grantmakers Forum in 2007.

I was elected to the Board of Trustees of Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona in 2007, and served through 2009.

I was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees of A.T. Still University, a specialized university dedicated to the osteopathic training of physicians, dentists, as well as the various health care professions. Kirksville, Missouri and Mesa, Arizona. 2007-2016.

Elected to the faculty of the School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, 2007

Elected to the Executive Committee of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association Spring 2012, and served as Chair, 2014-2015.

Elected to the Board of Directors of the National Center on Education and the Economy, Washington, D.C., Spring 2012 to 2018.

Awards

David T. Kearns Award for Superior Management presented by the Empire State Advantage Conference – 2000

Distinguished Public Service award presented by the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy – 1998

Champion for Industry Award presented by the Upstate Roundtable for Manufacturing – 1997

Friend of the Faculty Senate Award, presented by the SUNY Faculty Senate 2005

Appointed to the Rank of University Professor by the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York - 2005