Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State University, is the only college president from New Jersey named to a national commission focused on higher education retention and attainment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State University, has been named as a vice chair to a national Commission on Higher Education Attainment, whose goal is to develop a plan to improve retention and attainment at colleges and universities throughout the country.
“I am honored to have been selected to serve on this important commission,” said Pruitt. “Higher education builds the human capital of our country. If we want to compete in the 21st century, improving access, retention and achievement must be a key priority.”
The commission has been created by six presidential educational associations, which nominated the 24-member group. It includes presidents and chancellors from 18 public and private colleges and universities from across the country, including community colleges, research and land-grant institutions, state colleges and universities and independent institutions.
The commission is being chaired by E. Gordon Gee, president of The Ohio State University. The commission also has three vice chairs: Pruitt, the only president from a New Jersey institution named to the commission; Andrew K. Benton, president of Pepperdine University in California; and Gail O. Mellow, president of LaGuardia Community College in New York. The first commission meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, Oct. 31, at the American Council on Education’s offices in Washington, D.C.
Toni M. Terry, BA