SSTI Digest

The Department of Education's Committee on the Future of Higher Education has released a second draft of its report on the state of American colleges and universities. As reported in the July 10 issue of the Digest, the document originally released by the committee harshly criticized the U.S. higher education system for wasteful spending, lack of academic rigor, and failure to serve the needs of the national economy. The newest draft softens the critical tone of the report but retains most of the original recommendations, according to an article in Tuesday's Inside Higher Ed. David Ward, president of the American Council on Education (ACE), noted in a message to ACE members that the updated version contains improvements in both tone and content. Ward also said that the changes indicate a willingness on the part of the commission to develop a constructive set of proposals for the education community.

While much of the attention in the national dialogue on competitiveness and innovation has focused on federal R&D investments and science and tech education, a 62-year-old independent organization of business and education leaders says our attention should be much earlier in the education process. A new report by the Committee on Economic Development (CED) asserts economic development leaders should make quality preschools a top priority. The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool: Using Early Education to Improve Economic Growth and the Fiscal Sustainability of States and the Nation presents a convincing case for expanding state and federal pre-kindergarten programs to encourage economic growth.

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leading IT and innovation policy think tank, is seeking an IT policy analyst. Candidates should have excellent research and writing skills; knowledge of IT, telecommunications and Internet policy; at least two years of experience with these policy issues; a bachelors degree; and, ideally, a masters degree. Direct resumes to mail@innovationpolicy.org. A complete description of this position opening is available through the SSTI Job Corner at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has appointed former Kansas Gov. John Carlin to the Kansas Bioscience Authority. Robert Cresanti has been appointed to serve as chief privacy officer for the Department of Commerce, concurrent with his responsibilities as under secretary for technology. Lew Ebert announced he is leaving the Kansas Chamber of Commerce to become president and CEO of North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry. Science Foundation Arizona, a new nonprofit organization, has named Bill Harris as its director. The Greater Phoenix Economic Council recently hired Jim Hudson as vice president of strategy.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has appointed former Kansas Gov. John Carlin to the Kansas Bioscience Authority.

Robert Cresanti has been appointed to serve as chief privacy officer for the Department of Commerce, concurrent with his responsibilities as under secretary for technology.

Lew Ebert announced he is leaving the Kansas Chamber of Commerce to become president and CEO of North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry.

Science Foundation Arizona, a new nonprofit organization, has named Bill Harris as its director.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council recently hired Jim Hudson as vice president of strategy.

Louisiana State University appointed Brooks Keel as its new vice chancellor for research and economic development.

The Open Technology Business Center, a Beaverton, Ore.-based incubator, has named Steve Morris as its third executive director.

Steven Preston was sworn in July 10 as administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, succeeding Hector Barreto.