Peter Smith Resume_Redacted

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Founding President, Open College at Kaplan University (OC@KU); now the Open College
at Purdue Global.
As the founding president, I was tasked with the conception, development, and establishment of
an entirely new type of college. OC@KU uses free educational course material available on the
web to support learners as they complete Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) towards a
competency-based degree in Professional Studies. The college also offers assessment of prior
learning, including experiential learning, to maximize the recognition of what the entering
student already knows and is able to do. This also reduces time and cost to earn the degree.
June, 2007 – January 1, 2014
Senior Vice President, Academic Strategies and Development, Kaplan Higher Education,
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
I was part of the team that ultimately earned Kaplan University a 10-year accreditation from
North Central Schools and Colleges.
As the senior academic officer at Kaplan Higher Education, I was the senior in-house voice for
the academic programs. Additionally, I was responsible for the development and implementation
of two initiatives aimed at improving academic quality at Kaplan Higher Education. The first is
an academic quality assurance initiative which has developed a set of policies which, taken
collectively, define the “gold standard” for online and blended education. They provide the basis
for “best practice” identification and implementation and a QA process which employs metrics
to move Kaplan Higher Education toward those standards through a continuous improvement
process. The second is an academic strategic initiative, assessing prior learning, which has
repositioned Kaplan Higher Education for emerging adult learner markets. I reported directly to
the CEO of Kaplan Higher Education. Additionally, I spent time outside of Kaplan speaking and
participating in policy events in an attempt to “change the conversation” about higher education
in the 21st century.
Fall, 2004 – June, 2007
Assistant Director General for Education, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization, Paris, France
As the ADG/Ed, I was responsible for the supervision and management of more than 700 full
and part time staff located in over 30 countries around the world. I reported directly to the
Director General of UNESCO and was actively involved in leading a successful, sector-wide
management reform requested by UNESCO’s General Conference. The reform package was
endorsed by the Director General and approved by the Executive Board and the General
conference. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO’s Education Sector serves the Ministries of
Education in the world’s less developed and emerging nations as their trusted intellectual advisor
and advocate in developing and supporting national educational plans and strategies. UNESCO’s
span of responsibility in education ranges from early childhood education to tertiary education
and lifelong learning. The budget is over $1 billion per biennium.
January, 1995- June, 2005

Founding President, California State University Monterey Bay
Established by Executive Order of the Governor in 1994, California State University, Monterey
Bay (CSUMB) is part of the California State University system. CSUMB first opened its doors
to students in September, 1995. As the university’s founding president, I served for more than
ten years and was responsible for all aspects of leadership and development of the institution,
working closely and successfully with the founding faculty. The university is widely recognized
for several core characteristics including an outcomes-based curriculum, a strong science and
technology program, the first wireless computer network on a public university campus in
America, a focus on first generation college students, and a commitment to service learning as a
core component of the curriculum. During the years of my presidency, the university went
through all stages of accreditation to a status of full accreditation for a period of ten years. The
university also raised almost $100 million from external sources for the development of program
and facilities, exclusive of faculty research grants. Upon my resignation, I was awarded the rank
of President Emeritus and Professor of Public policy by the CSU Board of Trustees.
July, 1991-December, 1994
Dean, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, George Washington
University, Washington, DC
Hired by President Trachtenberg in the summer of 1991, my assignment was to reform and re-
invigorate a graduate school of education that he feared was sliding towards mediocrity. During
my three and a half years as Dean, the GSEHD increased its student body significantly, earned a
new facility, and added highly talented and diverse core faculty including my successor Dean,
Dr. Mary Hatwood Futrell. As a result of this base-building work and the increased financial
support it earned from the president, the GSEHD was recognized as one of the leading
professional schools in the mid-Atlantic region and one of the top 50 in America shortly after my
resignation.
January-June, l991
Senior Fellow, American Council on Education, Washington, D.C.
I researched and wrote a paper entitled, Radical Reconstruction of Domestic Human Resource
Policy which analyzed demographic information and economic changes and described better
human resource strategies for education specifically and domestic policy more generally.
January-July, 1991
Executive Director, National Commission on Responsibilities for Financing Post-Secondary
Education, Washington, D.C.
I served as the founding director of this Congressionally-mandated panel charged with proposing
significant restructuring of the nation's financial aid system. The Commission's report, Making
College Affordable Again, was published and considered in the 103rd Congress.
1989-1990

Member, United States House of Representatives, Congressman-at-Large, Washington,
D.C.
Elected in the State of Vermont, in the Congress I served as a member of the Education and
Labor and Government Operations Committees. I also served on the post-secondary education
sub-committee.
1986-1988
Vice President for Development, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont
As the University's first Vice President for Development, my responsibility was the design and
implementation of Norwich 2000, the first comprehensive Capital Fund Drive undertaken by the
University. The goal announced at the kick-off was $12,000,000. The drive was ultimately
concluded, having raised over $18,000,000.
1982-1986
Lieutenant Governor, State of Vermont
• Executive Committee, National Conference of the Lieutenant Governors
• Chairman, Lieutenant Governors' Task Force on Education and Economic Growth
1980-1982
Vermont State Senator
• Member, Senate Education Committee
1978-1980
President, Hunger Mountain Associates
I ran a small consulting company, Hunger Mountain Associates, in Montpelier, Vermont. During
this period of time, I received the Mina Shaughnessy award from FIPSE and conducted the
interviews which ultimately led to the publishing of my first book, Your Hidden Credentials ,
three years later.
1970-1978
Founder and First President of the Community College of Vermont.
I led the successful effort to design and implement Vermont's statewide Community College.
This work included the design of the college's innovative operating, administrative, academic,
and assessment systems. In external affairs, I led the successful efforts that allowed the college to
join the state system, develop a strong public funding base with the legislature, and gain full
accreditation from New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Upon my resignation, I
was awarded the rank of President Emeritus.
1975-1976
Director, Office of External Programs, Vermont State Colleges.
I accepted this additional assignment from the Chancellor of the Vermont State College System
in 1975. My task was to create the Office of External Programs, including an External
Baccalaureate Degree program for non-traditional students and a portfolio assessment program
for evaluating students' experiential learning done outside of college.

EDUCATION
Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Doctor of Education in Administration Planning and Social Policy, 1984
• Master of Arts in Teaching, 1970
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
• Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, 1968
Phillips Academy
Andover, Massachusetts, 1960-1964
Vermont Public Schools
Burlington, Vermont, 1951-1960
NATIONAL and Local BOARDS - Current
Santa Fe City Planning Commission, 2022 – present.
Sterling College Board of Trustees, 2024 – present.
Association of Governing Boards Senior Fellow and Consultant, 2019 – present
Leon & Sylvia Panetta Institute for Public Policy National Board of Directors, Member.
September 2002- present.
Previous
Distance Education Accreditation Commission – May, 2023 – January, 2026.
SARA National Council Member, February, 2017 – 2023. Interstate authorization and
regulatory agency for online and multi-state post-secondary education offerings.
National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, October 2012- 2023;
1975-1978 (At age 30, I was the youngest Member of the Board in its history and served to
completion of term in 1978.);

Strada Institute for the Future of Work – External Advisory Committee; Spring, 2018 –
2020.
Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, Vermont, founding board member, 2008-2021.
Pearson Council of Advisors – advisor to the company, 2019 – 2021
Global Open Education Consortium, February, 2017 – 19.
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education Council on Educational Technology,
Executive Committee, 2013-2017; Chair 2015 - 2016.
The President’s Forum, Executive Committee, 2010- 2015; member emeritus – present.
National Survey of Student Engagement, National Advisory Council, 2013-2016.
National Student Clearinghouse, Advisory Committee, 2013 - 2016
Committee for Economic Development, Washington DC, Board of Trustees. 2008- 2014.
The SpringBoard Project, member, board of Advisors, sponsored by the Business Roundtable.
Report issued December 9, 2009.
The National Steinbeck Center, Vice Chair for Long Range Planning and member of Board of
Trustees. 2000- 2005.
American Council on Education, Commission on Government and Public Affairs, Member.
June 2000-03.
California Council on Science and Technology, Member, 1997-1999.
Wingspread Group On Higher Education, Member. Convened by the Johnson Foundation,
with support from the Hewlett Foundation and the Lilly Endowment, this working group was
charged with responding to the question, What Does Society Need From Higher Education?
Chaired by Hon. William Brock, the group issued a report during the Fall, 1993.
National Research Council, Commission on Behavior and Social Sciences and Education;
Board on Testing and Assessment, Member, 1994.
Carnegie Forum on Education and Economic Development, 1985-1988. Invited by President
of Carnegie Corporation, Dr. David Hamburg, to advise both on its forum, a 10-year initiative
undertaken by the Carnegie Corporation, as well as on its education, science, and technology
grant program. This group birthed two important educational reform groups, both still operating
today: The National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and The National Center for
Education and the Economy.

Board of Directors, Fund for Improvement of Post-Secondary Education, Chairman. 1984-
1986. Invited by Secretary of Education, Dr. Terrell Bell. After one year's service, asked in fall
of 1984, by Dr. Bell, to become Chairman of the Board. The Board advised the Secretary of
Education and staff of FIPSE with regard to grant awards and overall policy regarding
innovation and post-secondary education.
Education Commission of the States, 1980-1986. State Commissioner to ECS, Member of
Executive Committee 1984 and 1985. Chairman, Program Committee, 1985. Chairman, Policy
Committee, 1986. During this period of time in ECS history, I worked closely with Governors
James Hunt, Thomas Kean, and Charles Robb to "restart" ECS under Dr. Frank Newman and
join the national response to A Nation At Risk. ECS is the major national forum for discussion of
educational policy issues by state political and educational leaders. Formed in 1966 by Dr. James
Bryant Conant and Governor Terry Stanford (D-North Carolina). ECS is governed by an
interstate compact. All states and territories are members.
Council for the Advancement of Experiential Learning (CAEL), 1974-1986. Founding
member and charter officer. As Secretary of CAEL Board, served as officer during formative
years of organization. CAEL has become the leading authority on experiential learning in U.S.
During its formative years, CAEL conducted research on good practice in assessment of
experiential learning and published several seminal works on principles of good practice in
assessment of experiential learning. The group is credited, more than any other, with bringing
experiential learning and its assessment to the forefront as a legitimate educational enterprise.