Dayton appoints Sheila Wright to run Office of Higher Ed
Gov. Dayton announced today that he has picked Sheila Wright to run the Office of Higher Education. Wright is a professor and Dean in the School of Education at Hamline University.
The news release says Wright has experience in addressing the issues of teacher quality and the achievement gap.
"I am delighted that Dr. Wright has agreed to join our administration," Dayton said in a news release. "Her nationally recognized leadership in education will help guide our administration's efforts to restore Minnesota to its former position of national leadership in making higher education more accessible, more affordable, and more responsive to the needs of Minnesota's college students."
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
"This is a tremendous honor and privilege," Wright said in the news release. "I share Governor Dayton's strong commitment to education. I believe that giving our residents the best and most affordable higher education is the best way to ensure future prosperity and economic success for our entire state, and look forward to working with the Governor to find new and better ways to make that happen."
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education provides students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to post-secondary education. The agency also serves as the state's clearinghouse for data, research and analysis on post-secondary enrollment, financial aid, finance and trends. It administers up to $150 million dollars in need-based grants to Minnesota residents attending eligible institutions in Minnesota.
Dr. Wright replaces Acting Director Barbara S. Schlaefer and her term runs till Jan 5, 2015.