PHILADELPHIA, July 16, 2014 – The CEO Council for Growth (CEO Council) announced that Dr. Neil D. Theobald, President of Temple University, has been named Co-Chair of the Regional College and University Presidents’ Council (Presidents’ Council). He and fellow Co-Chair Dr. Ali Houshmand, President of Rowan University, will lead the Presidents’ Council.

 

Together, they will direct the Presidents’ Council’s work toward positioning students for career success, post-secondary education completion and advocacy efforts. Dr. Theobald replaces Father Peter Donohue, President of Villanova, who stepped down as Co-Chair earlier this year. The next meeting of the Presidents’ Council is on Monday, October 20, 2014.

 

“Since coming to Philadelphia in 2013, I’ve been truly impressed by those in the local business community who want to create greater opportunities for students. I look forward to focusing our efforts in ways that will ensure access to an affordable, quality education for all of the talented students in the region,” said Theobald.

 

The Presidents’ Council was created to explore cooperative opportunities among the region’s 101 degree-granting institutions. The Presidents’ Council is managed by the CEO Council, an affiliate of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, that is comprised of a devoted group of business, higher education, and civic leaders who commit their time and efforts to enhancing economic growth and prosperity in Greater Philadelphia.

 

Leveraging these relationships with the business and civic communities, the Presidents’ Council provides an opportunity for collaboration, collective advocacy on issues critical to higher education, and cultivation of new relationships between business and higher education leaders.

 

“I welcome Dr. Theobald as Co-Chair of the Presidents’ Council and look forward to working alongside him to increase partnerships between industry and higher education, and to create opportunities for students throughout the region,” said Houshmand.

 

The collaborative efforts of the Presidents’ Council, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the CEO Council provide opportunities for higher education and business leaders to leverage combined strengths and to act with a coordinated regional voice.

 

“Dr. Theobald will bring great energy and leadership as Co-Chair of the Presidents’ Council. I am excited to see how he and Dr. Houshmand shape the Presidents’ Council’s efforts and improve education in the Greater Philadelphia region,” said Rob Wonderling, Chairman of the CEO Council and President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

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 Press Contact: Kate Hagedorn, [email protected]

Program Contact: Patty Day, [email protected]