On Campus Blog

Pogemiller appointed head of MN office of higher education

The earlier news that Pogemiller would be appointed head of the state Office of Higher Ed is now official.

From MPR's Tim Post:

Governor Mark Dayton has appointed long time DFL State Senator Larry Pogemiller as the new head of the state's Office of Higher Education.

In a statement, Governor Dayton said Sen. Poggemiller is the "perfect" choice to lead the state's office of higher education because of his experience in the legislature and with public policy issues.

DFLer Pogemiller has spent three decades in the legislature, serving in several leadership positions including Majority Leader, chair of committees on education and taxes.  Dayton will have to call a special election to fill Pogemiller's seat.

He replaces Sheila Wright, who resigned in September after only nine months on the job.

The office of higher education keeps watch over state financial aid programs and tracks trends and research on enrollment and college finances.