The Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board conducted a nationwide search for a new executive director, and found its man just down the hall. The board has hired Don Bennett, who has been the interim ED since April, to the position.
Don Bennett is the new executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Bennett has been with the HEC Board for nearly 3½ years. He started in March of 2007 as deputy director, and was promoted to executive deputy director last year. He’s been serving as interim executive director since Ann Daley retired at the end of March.
Greg Scheiderer, vice president of Independent Colleges of Washington, has known Bennett for many years. They worked together on the staff of the Washington State Senate in the early 1990s.
Jesús Hernández, board chair, said Bennett is the right person to lead the HEC Board as it continues to confront a critical set of complex strategic challenges facing the state’s postsecondary education system.
“Don Bennett’s deep knowledge of budget and finance, his long history working with education policy issues in Washington, his experience directing HECB operations, and his understanding of the state’s higher education institutions and the political process constitute a unique skill set for this position,” said Hernández in a news release.
The HEC Board provides strategic planning, coordination, monitoring, and policy analysis for higher education in Washington, and administers state and federal financial aid and other education services. It is charged by state law with representing the “broad public interest above the interests of the individual colleges and universities.”
Congratulations, Don! There are challenging times ahead for higher education in Washington. We look forward to working with you and the rest of the HEC Board staff to give students every opportunity to get a good college education.
