(FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Kentucky Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit has been selected as executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the Kentucky Department of Education announced today.
Wilhoit will resign from his post as commissioner effective November 1 and immediately begin work in his new position.
"Although the members of the Kentucky Board of Education are saddened by Gene's decision, we recognize that this is an unprecedented professional opportunity for him," said Keith Travis, chair of the board. "Kentucky will have another strong advocate in our nation's capital, and we wish him success in his new position."
The Kentucky Board of Education will initiate a search process for the next commissioner of education. At an upcoming board meeting, members will select a search firm to manage the process. Kevin Noland, currently deputy commissioner of the Department of Education's Bureau of Operations and Support Services, has agreed to serve as interim education commissioner during the search process.
CCSSO's board has developed an aggressive five-year strategic plan that will guide the work of the organization as it moves forward in setting the education agenda for the future. As the new executive director, Wilhoit will continue the strategic focus of the organization and work to assure a smooth transition. "I'm excited about this opportunity and the possibilities it brings. CCSSO's impact on national education policy has been consistent and positive, and I look forward to this chance to help shape state and national education policy to better serve all children in our public schools and to serve state education leaders across this country," said Wilhoit.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CCSSO is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of education in each state, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense jurisdictions and U.S. territorial jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy and technical assistance on major educational issues.
Wilhoit was named Kentucky's third commissioner of education in October 2000. Under his guidance, the Kentucky Department of Education has streamlined its operations and placed greater focus on improving student learning and achievement.
As a member of CCSSO, Wilhoit has served as a member of the Legislative, Nominations and Internal Operations Committees. Wilhoit also traveled to China with CCSSO in 2005 to the U.S.-China Education Leaders Conference. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Southern Regional Educational Board.
Wilhoit has served as a social studies teacher, program director for the Indiana Department of Public Instruction, executive director of the National Association of State Boards of Education and chief state school officer for the Arkansas Department of Education. Prior to being named Kentucky's education commissioner, he was deputy commissioner for the Department of Education's Bureau of Learning Support Services.
Wilhoit holds a master's degree in teaching, history and political science from Indiana University in Bloomington and a bachelor's degree in history and economics from Georgetown College. He also has studied educational administration at West Virginia College of Graduate Studies in Charleston.
A resident of Lawrenceburg in Anderson County, Wilhoit and his wife, Rebecca Campbell Wilhoit, have three children -- Christopher, Kara and Jason.
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