BREAKING | The S.C. Commission on Higher Education announced today that it has accepted the resignation of its executive director, Dr. Richard Sutton.
In recent years, CHE has been in the crosshairs of legislators considering ways to restructure the agency. They’ve complained it is overly bureaucratic and little more than a rubber stamp for what higher educational institutions seek.
“I think it’s a necessary first step to reforming the commission and making it relevant,” said longtime critic and state Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island. “I’ve said for 10 years now we need to reform CHE. We need to look at their mission and, two, we need to hire a strategist, not a cheerleader.”
Sutton is leaving the agency to pursue other opportunities, according to a press statement this morning.
“We appreciated the service of Dr. Sutton and wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Commission Chairman John Finan.
The release said CHE was forming a search committee for Sutton’s replacement. In the meantime, Deputy Director Julie Carullo will serve as interim executive director during the transition.
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