On Friday, February 20, 2009, the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning's (IHL) Board Search Committee for the next Mississippi Commissioner of Higher Education, chaired by Trustee Ed Blakeslee of Gulfport, will meet with the other state public education boards. The purpose of the meetings is to hear what qualities both boards want to see in Mississippi's next Commissioner of Higher Education. These qualities will be considered for the profile and job description for the position of Commissioner.

Members of the Board Search Committee, along with Interim Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas, will meet with the Mississippi Department of Education Board (MDE) beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the MDE Board Room on the 4th floor of the Central High School Building, 359 North West Street, Jackson, MS, 39201.

The meeting will be followed by a similar meeting with the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges (SBCJC) beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. in the SBCJC Board Room, room 507 on the 5th floor of the Education and Research Center, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS, 39211.

The media is invited to attend both meetings. Members of the general public interested in submitting their ideas on the qualities of the next Commissioner of Higher Education may do so by filling out the Search Feedback Form located here.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning's institutional executive officer search process allows Mississippi to be on the consideration list of the highest caliber professionals in higher education. The process is open, transparent and representative-based, and works in accordance with today's recruitment standards for high-level institutions of higher learning. For more information on the Board's Commissioner of Higher Education search process, including a timeline of events, visit the Commissioner Search page.

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, IHL governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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