The Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning named Hank Bounds as the next Commissioner of Higher Education during a press conference today. Bounds, the current State Superintendent of Education, will begin the new position at the end of July.
In an IHL press release, Ed Blakeslee, chair of the Commissioner Board Search Committee, said Bounds will continue to be a valuable asset to the state of Mississippi.
“Dr. Bounds brings the experience, passion and vision to move the university system forward and to forge a collaborative relationship between the secondary and postsecondary education systems in the state,” Blakeslee said.
After being named commissioner, Bounds gave the following statement, sent through the IHL press release: “I am honored that the Board of Trustees have entrusted me to lead the state’s university system. Mississippi’s eight universities have an excellent track record in preparing our students for the workforce and making contributions to premier industries around the world. We all know that in these tough economic times, a more educated citizenry should be of the highest priority. As commissioner, I will continue to focus on building a more seamless and accessible system from pre-kindergarten through advanced degrees. I enthusiastically accept this responsibility and look forward to working with the College Board and our outstanding university presidents.”
As superintendent, Bounds worked to decrease the dropout rate, helped implement rigorous curriculum and started the creation of a school performance classification system. He has worked to secure grants and partnerships with in and out of state foundations and corporations, including a $17 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Prior to being state superintendent, Bounds worked as Pascagoula School District’s superintendent. He has also served as principal at two high schools and one K-12 school.