Dr. William Holland, a professor at Rhode Island College and former school superintendent, was recently named the new Commissioner of Higher Education in Rhode Island. A six-person search committee formed by the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education recommended Holland following a nationwide search. Sally Dowling, chair of the board of governors, announced the appointment on May 18.
“On behalf of my colleagues on the Board of Governors, I am delighted that Dr. Holland has accepted our offer to be Rhode Island’s fourth commissioner of higher education,” said Dowling.
Seifert Systems Invests in Energy Efficiency to Strengthen Operations
For manufacturers, energy is more than just another operating expense. It plays a critical role…
Learn More
She added, “I am especially pleased to note that as a former superintendent of schoolsDr. Holland’s in-depth knowledge of elementary and secondary educational reform issues will prove invaluable as we continue to pursue productive dialogue with our colleagues in the Department of Elementary-Secondary Education.”
Dr. Holland, who will start his new position on July 1, is currently a tenured professor of school administration at RIC, where he also serves as a faculty member and student advisor in the joint doctoral program in education offered by RIC and the University of Rhode Island.
He is recognized as an authority in matters related to school-college articulation and has been the liaison between RIC and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges on this subject. Holland is also executive director of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, a position he has held since 1990.
He has also served as the superintendent of schools in Narragansett for nine years.
In his acceptance, Dr. Holland described some of his aspirations as he considers his future responsibilities as commissioner.
“I look forward to actively promoting the emerging educational interests of Rhode Islanders of all ages and interests in collaboration with the members of the Board of Governors and the President of the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island.”
