0906bra10

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

TO:	The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents
FROM:	Richard P. Mills
SUBJECT:	Acting Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education
DATE:	September 8, 2006
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 1-6
AUTHORIZATION(S):

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision

Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education, Carole Huxley will retire from her position on October 31^st, 2006. Should the Regents endorse the Commissioner’s pending appointment of Assistant Commissioner for the State Archives, Christine Ward, as the Acting Deputy Commissioner?

Reasons for Consideration

The plans for a Deputy search are already underway. However, even with an aggressive search timetable, strong interim leadership is essential to ensure that the momentum of major initiatives is not slowed or diverted. Chris Ward is fully engaged with the priorities established for OCE and their execution. She has the confidence and respect of both her peers and their staff across OCE. Her record of achievement within the archival community nationally is impressive, and her experience and expertise are a USNY example. She has served on the school board in her community and on the public library board. She has experience in a museum and serves on the advisory boards for the Center on Jewish History, the Rockefeller Archives, and is on the Freedom Trail Commission. Her M.A. is in librarianship, and she has taught at preservation management courses at SUNY Albany and Rutgers. Her expertise in that area has won her wide recognition. She will not be a candidate for the permanent position but is willing to step into the position until a search is completed. Her resume is attached.

Proposed Handling

The Regents will review Chris Ward’s credentials and experience in Executive Session on September 11^th.

Procedural History

I have met with Chris Ward about taking on this responsibility and am convinced that she is an outstanding choice.

Recommendation

That the Regents endorse my appointment of Christine Ward to serve as the Acting Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education, beginning on November 1, 2006 until a permanent appointment has been made and the incumbent is in place.