Dann-Messier named R.I. acting commissioner of postsecondary education

BRENDA DANN-Messier was named acting commissioner of postsecondary education Monday, according to a Tuesday announcement by the R.I. Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. / COURTESY R.I. OFFICE OF THE POSTSECONDARY COMMISSIONER
BRENDA DANN-Messier has been named permanent commissioner of postsecondary education, according to a Thursday announcement by the R.I. Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. / COURTESY R.I. OFFICE OF THE POSTSECONDARY COMMISSIONER

WARWICK – Brenda Dann-Messier was named acting commissioner of postsecondary education Monday, according to a Tuesday announcement by the R.I. Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner.

In a prepared statement, she said: “I am looking forward to working with the council and the institutions to move forward with the exciting initiatives already underway, including the R.I. Promise Scholarship, dual and concurrent enrollment and the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center.”

Jim Purcell gave notice he was leaving the role in order to serve as executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, according to a March 24 announcement from RIOPC.

Focusing on student success and development of the workforce at all ages, Dann-Messier has served in both the education department of the Clinton administration and as assistant secretary of education for vocational and adult education in the Obama administration.

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Dann-Messier, who received a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education and a master’s in instructional technology from Rhode Island College and a doctor education degree in educational leadership from Johnson & Wales University, is expected to begin the role in early April.

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