Four people have been named as finalists to become Louisiana‘s next higher education commissioner.
The Board of Regents today announced the contenders:
- Robert Donley, former executive director and CEO of the Iowa Board of Regents.
- Kim Hunter Reed, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and a former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
- Cathy Sandeen, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension.
- Paul Turman, system vice president for academic affairs at the South Dakota Board of Regents.
“We believe these individuals are extremely qualified to move forward the work of elevating higher education in Louisiana including advocating for stable funding and working toward educational attainment and access,” Board of Regents Chairman Robert Levy says in a statement.
Joseph Rallo, the commissioner since January 2015, plans to retire from the position that pays him $364,000 a year. The commissioner oversees policy governing Louisiana’s 38 public colleges.
The Board of Regents will provide an update on the search at its Wednesday meeting. The board intends to name the new commissioner at its April 18 meeting.
