Paul E. Lingenfelter

President

Paul Lingenfelter’s work as President of SHEEO has focused on increasing successful participation in higher education; accountability for improving learning; finance; and building more effective relationships between K-12 and postsecondary educators. Under his leadership, SHEEO organized the National Commission on Accountability in Higher Education, created the annual study State Higher Education Finance, published More Student Success: A Systemic Solution, and substantially expanded SHEEO collaborations with the Council of Chief State School Officers.

From 1985 to 2000, he served at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, where in 1996 he was appointed Vice President to establish and lead the MacArthur Foundation Program on Human and Community Development. Earlier, he was involved in the full range of the Foundation’s international and domestic programs as Associate Vice President for Planning and Evaluation and Director of Program Related Investments.

Dr. Lingenfelter was Deputy Director for Fiscal Affairs for the Illinois Board of Higher Education from 1980 to 1985 and held other administrative positions with the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the University of Michigan from 1968-80. His educational background includes an A.B. from Wheaton College in Literature, an M.A. from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in higher education with an emphasis in public policy. He is the author of numerous studies and articles related to his work in higher education and philanthropy, and he currently serves on the boards of the National Student Clearinghouse and the New Leadership Alliance for Student Learning and Accountability.