NEWS RELEASE

RICHMOND — Daniel LaVista, Executive Director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), today announced that Alan F. Edwards, Jr., has been appointed as Director of Policy Studies effective January 1, 2006.

Dr. Edwards first joined SCHEV in January 2002 and is currently serving as the Assistant Director for Academic Affairs and Planning. In addition to policy research projects, his new responsibilities will include supporting the leadership team through self-directed environmental scanning, interpreting data to develop meaningful policy recommendations, and identifying relevant implications for Commonwealth citizens.

“I am pleased that Alan is willing to continue his hard work at SCHEV in this new capacity,” says LaVista. “He possesses the requisite skills and abilities to make important contributions to the agency, and to higher education in Virginia, through his leadership of our policy development agenda.”

Dr. Edwards holds a doctorate degree in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership from the College of William and Mary, as well as a Master of Sociology degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Edwards is the 2001 recipient of the William and Mary School of Education’s Margaret the Lady Thatcher Medallion for character, scholarship, and service. Last year, he received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association.