After nine months as the acting director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Phyllis Palmiero officially was named SCHEV's director during its meeting at the College of William & Mary yesterday.
The governor appoints SCHEV members to assess Virginia's colleges and make recommendations to the General Assembly to advance educational excellence.
SCHEV spokesman Paul Nardo said making Palmiero director was not a "foregone conclusion" at first, but her productive tenure as acting director and the numerous letters supporting her appointment convinced SCHEV that she was the best applicant for the job.
Prior to her appointment, Palmiero led an accomplished and widely praised career in public service. She assumed previous leadership roles in SCHEV, as well as heading higher education initiatives with the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget.
Nardo said Palmiero will be responsible for handling the day-to-day operations of the SCHEV agency and its staff in Richmond.
Palmiero said she feels very privileged to be serving the Commonwealth.
She said her appointment to the position will change her responsibilities, because as acting director she could not "seize certain opportunities" she now is able to take.
"I've had nine months to think about what needs to be done, and now I can move forward with my ideas," she added.
Palmiero said she plans to focus on three goals during her time as director.
She said she wants to move forward with providing reports of institutional effectiveness to the public. She also plans to continue working for performance-based funding for colleges and universities and make financial aid a high priority for the Commonwealth.
University President John T. Casteen III was one of several people who wrote to SCHEV in support of Palmiero.
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He described her as "unfailingly fair, thoughtful in responding to differing opinions, willing to listen and ethical in her dealings" with the University.
Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor, also wrote a letter to SCHEV recommending Palmiero's appointment.
Sabato said he worked with Palmiero on the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education and that she "impressed each and every member of that commission with the depth and breadth of her knowledge about higher education in the Commonwealth."
Nardo said Palmiero is respected widely for her analytical skills and has earned a reputation for being an effective catalyst for progress.
SCHEV has had problems with its directors in the past, so Palmiero's appointment may be a step to restore credibility to the position.
Former director Gordon K. Davies, who served from 1977 to 1997, was fired after having irreconcilable differences with SCHEV appointees of Gov. George Allen (R).
Palmiero took over as acting director in August after William B. Allen quit in July following his disclosure of his affair with a staff member who reported to him.
Palmiero's appointment is effective immediately.
Her yearly salary will be $140,246.
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