June 01, 2011
Contact: Sara Wurfel
Office: 517-335-6397
Email: wurfels@michigan.gov
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced appointments to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.
Mike Flanagan and Eileen Weiser are appointed and Dr. Conway Jeffress is reappointed.
The compact, founded in 1991, is one of four interstate compacts that contribute to the vitality of the Midwest by enhancing member states' ability to maximize higher education opportunity and performance through collaboration and resource sharing.
"These skilled and thoughtful individuals will work together with neighboring states to maximize educational opportunities for our young people while at the same time saving Michigan millions of dollars," Snyder said.
Flanagan, of Lansing, is director of the Michigan Department of Education and serves as chair of the State Board of Education. In 2005 he was appointed superintendent of public instruction by the State Board of Education. Flanagan is the past chairperson of the Education Alliance of Michigan and past president of the National County Superintendents Association. He will serve as the governor's designee for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor.
Weiser, of Ann Arbor, previously served as executive director of the McKinley Foundation and as a member of the State Board of Education. She also served on the National Assessment Governing Board. Weiser earned a bachelor's degree in music from Michigan State University and a master's degree in music from the University of Michigan, both in piano performance. She will serve the designee of the State Board of Education for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor.
Jeffress, of Novi, is president of Schoolcraft College and a member of the Michigan Community College Association, as well as chair of the Policy and Research Committee for the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. He earned a bachelor's degree from Washington and Jefferson College, and a master's degree in education and a doctoral degree from University of Pittsburgh. He will serve a four-year term expiring March 8, 2015.
The appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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