December 23, 2010

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor-Elect Dan Malloy today said that he is looking forward to working with Department of Higher Education Commissioner Michael P. Meotti on critical education and workforce issues facing Connecticut.

 

"I've admired Mike Meotti's work from afar, and I'm looking forward to working with him more closely," said Governor-Elect Malloy. "We need to do more to reverse the 'brain drain' in the state to ensure that students who are from Connecticut or come here to attend a college or university, stay here to work and live after they earn their degree. We need graduates who are prepared to compete in world-class economy right here in the state."

 

"It's an honor to continue working on the issues of higher education affordability and access with Governor-Elect Malloy," said Commissioner Meotti. "I know that we share the same commitment to increasing the educational attainment level of Connecticut's adult population and I am eager to work with Governor-Elect Malloy and the Board of Governors of Higher Education to make that happen."

 

Commissioner Meotti was appointed Commissioner of Higher Education by the Board of Governors in March 2008. As an ex officio member of the Connecticut State Board of Education, Commissioner Meotti works closely with state policy-makers and local education officials on the partnership between state colleges and local schools with an emphasis on college readiness and teacher education programs. He is also is a member of the New England Board of Higher Education. In October 2008, Commissioner Meotti was named by the national association of state higher education executives (SHEEO) to its committees for federal relations, and data and information systems. In July 2010, he was named to SHEEO's executive committee.

 

Commissioner Meotti has an extensive background in public policy, having served as President of United Way of Connecticut and President of the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council. He served eight years in the State Senate during which he was Assistant Majority Leader and vice-chair of the Education Committee. He has been a visiting lecturer in public policy at Trinity College and was president of the Manchester Community College Foundation from 1998-2002.

 

Meotti lives in West Hartford with his wife, Pamela, and his daughters, Sara and Laura who are students in the West Hartford public schools.

 

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