Dr. Henry Mack , a former candidate for Florida Gulf Coast University president has been recommended
to serve as Florida\u2019s next Commissioner of Education. <\/p>\n
Mack, who’s name was advanced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, lost the FGCU nomination by one vote of the university\u2019s board of trustee\u2019s in 2023.<\/p>\n
Dr. Aysegul Timur, FGCU’s Vice President and Vice Provost for Strategy and Program Innovation, was selected for the post. Timur joined Florida Gulf Coast University four years ago and will be the first female selected and the fifth president of the 25-year-old university.<\/p>\n
In 2019, Mack was selected by Gov. Ron DeSantis to serve as senior vice chancellor for the state department of education. He was directly responsible for the state of Florida\u2019s workforce education strategy, budget, operations, policy and finance, grants and administration, and, together with the Governor\u2019s Office, was responsible for all higher education and workforce education legislative and policy priorities.<\/p>\n
He also served as a vice president for Workforce Education and Innovation at Broward College and oversaw the college\u2019s career and technical education programs, the development of new baccalaureate degrees, and the college\u2019s business incubator and accelerator.<\/p>\n
Mack earned his bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in philosophy and theology from the Catholic University of America and his doctorate in education administration and the philosophy of education from the University of Miami. <\/p>\n
In his current federal role as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor, he has advanced policies that integrate education and labor systems to expand Registered Apprenticeships, accelerate credential attainment, root out waste and fraud in the nation\u2019s unemployment insurance system, and align training with high-demand industry needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am confident Dr. Mack will build on Florida\u2019s record of success in education,\u201d DeSantis said. \u201cHe shares our commitment to parental rights, school choice, eliminating radical ideologies from the classroom, and preparing every student for success in the workforce and in life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a profound honor to be recommended by Governor DeSantis to serve as Florida\u2019s Commissioner of Education,\u201d Mack said. \u201cFor more than two decades I had the privilege of teaching in Florida, helping students think critically about education, policy, and the good life. As Chancellor, I worked to align our entire K-20 system with workforce needs, and at the U.S. Department of Labor I have continued breaking down the artificial walls between education and employment so that every Floridian \u2014 and every American \u2014 has clear pathways to high-wage careers. I am ready to bring that integrated vision home to serve Florida\u2019s students, parents, and teachers and strengthen our workforce and economy.\u201d<\/p>\n