Higher education commission announces new leader | Local

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Commission for Larger Schooling declared its new leader Thursday – an Ivy Tech Neighborhood Faculty government and native Hoosier.

“Alignment amongst schooling and workforce is essential to earning Indiana a chief in attracting and producing expertise,” Gov. Eric Holcomb stated of Chris Lowery. “Chris is uniquely seasoned and positioned to proceed advancing this important work. He understands the role bigger training ought to engage in in the techniques and potential necessary for Indiana to contend in the world-wide financial state. I’m grateful he’s stepped up to acquire on this most vital assignment.”

As senior vice president of workforce, occupations and grownup approach at Ivy Tech Group College, Lowery has led the college’s workforce and occupation initiatives and corporation.

The employ the service of comes as longtime Larger Education and learning Main Teresa Lubbers retires. She has served given that 2009 and ahead of that was a state senator for 17 several years.

The fee done a countrywide research led by a six-member search committee, which unanimously proposed Lowery to the entire fee for a vote of approval and appointment. Users of the 14-individual fee are gubernatorial appointees.

“This was a sturdy process. I feel we observed our 1st option and our best alternative,” explained Fee Chairman Mike Alley.

Lowery hopes to transition in mid-April.

“Indiana’s faculties and universities deliver substantially of the gas in phrases of education, training and exploration to guidance unique growth, investments and improvements of companies,” he said. “By bringing with each other leaders from our better education institutions, employers, K-12 associates, nonprofits, philanthropy, government and other stakeholders, we can blur the traces and increase the value proposition of larger schooling.”

A news launch stated Lowery will focus on university affordability and making certain top quality larger education is sent and tied to career relevance as the fee proceeds its attempts to recognize the state’s objective of at the very least 60% of Hoosiers with top quality instruction and education over and above significant college. Alongside with addressing declining faculty-going charges, the fee will concentrate on increasing the amount of adult learners who generate a diploma or credential past a large university diploma.

Just before coming to Ivy Tech, Lowery led Public Policy and Engagement for Hillenbrand, Inc. He also previously served as director of the Association of Indiana Counties, an aide to former Indiana Gov. Robert D. Orr, and an aide to then-Senator Dan Quayle.

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