Higher Education for Development Names New Director of Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2012
Contact: Kellee Edmonds
Email: kedmonds@hedprogram.org
(202) 375-7546
www.HEDprogram.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Higher Education for Development (HED) today announced the appointment of Jay Taylor as its new director of programs. In this role, Taylor will be responsible for the development and management of HED’s diverse partnerships which link colleges and universities in the United States with higher education institutions worldwide. His daily activities will include representing HED, working closely with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development, and engaging the six major U.S. higher education associations, the international development community and higher education experts in dialogue for the collaborative creation of programs that foster results-oriented partnerships.
With more than 30 years of experience, Taylor has navigated the evolution of higher education partnerships with an eye toward maximum developmental impact. Most recently, Taylor held the position of branch public affairs officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Basrah, Iraq. He also has worked as the director of program development for the Center for Academic Partnerships at AED (Academy for Educational Development) and as senior regional program manager at the Arab Civic Education Network. His extensive international experience includes assignments to Amman, Jordan; Lagos, Nigeria; and Cairo, Egypt with the U.S. Department of State’s Public Affairs Section and in Washington, D.C. with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchanges.
“Jay is keenly aware of the value and strength international higher education partnerships offer in supporting development goals,” said HED Executive Director Tully Cornick. “He brings a balance of in-depth knowledge and practical experience in grants management, public-private partnership design, and higher education development leadership to HED. His support of higher education’s role in pushing forward sustainable solutions will contribute to the strength and effectiveness of HED’s current and future programs.”
Taylor commented, “I am absolutely delighted to become a member of the dynamic and professional staff at HED and to have this opportunity to contribute to HED’s partnership programs.”
Taylor received the U.S. Secretary of State Service Award in 2009 in recognition of his volunteer work in Iraq and numerous group and individual Meritorious Honor awards for his accomplishments. He holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Tufts University (Mass.) and a master’s degree in conflict resolution from the University of Jordan.
The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.usaid.gov.
HED mobilizes the expertise and resources of the higher education community to address global development challenges. HED manages a competitive awards process to access expertise with the higher education community in coordination with the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). For more information about HED, visit www.hedprogram.org.
