PROVIDENCE – Brenda Dann-Messier has been appointed the commissioner of Rhode Island postsecondary education, the R.I. Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner announced Tuesday.
“We have a lot of work to do to make sure Rhode Islanders are prepared with the postsecondary education and career skills that are going to drive our economy forward,” said Gov. Gina M. Raimondo. “Dr. Dann-Messier has a proven track record in developing educational programs and policies that meet employer needs. I have full confidence in her leadership.”
Dann-Messier has been acting as interim commissioner since April of 2017, replacing Jim Purcell, who went to serve as the executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
“Dr. Dann-Messier has demonstrated that she has the talents and experience to address our greatest challenges and opportunities in R.I. higher education,” said Bill Foulkes, chair of the Council on Postsecondary Education. “We are very lucky to have a commissioner with her breadth of experience. Throughout her career, she has focused on promoting student success and developing the workforce at every level.”
Dann-Messier has served in both the education department of the Clinton administration and as assistant secretary of education for vocational and adult education in the Obama administration.
“We have an ambitious attainment goal to reach, and I am very honored that the council and the board have chosen me to continue this important work,” said Dann-Messier. “I look forward to working closely with our institutional leaders to implement our key priorities for the system.”
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
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