Dr. John Bassett
The Heritage University board of directors has appointed Dr. John Bassett as the second president of Heritage University. Bassett currently serves as the president of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, a position he has held since 2000. He will begin his new duties at Heritage next summer.
Bassett will succeed Dr. Kathleen Ross, who has been president at Heritage since its founding in 1982. Ross announced her plans to retire from the presidency in March of this year.
In addition to his duties as president at Clark, Bassett has a high profile leadership position on national education policy, serving as the vice-chair of the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. NAICU is the unified national voice of independent higher education.
“I can think of no greater calling than to lead Heritage University,” said Bassett. “Higher education is the foundation for our future success as a society. Heritage was founded on the belief that no one should be denied access for reasons of poverty, culture or geography. My wife Kay and I are thrilled by the opportunity to live in the Pacific Northwest and build on the work of Dr. Ross.”
For more information, read the Heritage University news release on the announcement, Bassett’s letter to the Clark University community, and coverage from the Yakima Herald-Republic.
