Washington’s public, four-year institutions have announced the permanent appointment of Ruben Flores as Executive Director of the Council of Presidents (COP). Flores, who has served as the interim executive director for the past year and previously held the role of director of government relations and business affairs, assumed his permanent position on July 1.
As Executive Director, Flores will continue to lead COP and collaborate with its member institutions to shape the state-level policy and advocacy agenda for the sector. Serving as the organization’s spokesperson, he will represent the sector externally at the state level as a member of the Washington Student Achievement Council, Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board and Washington STEM, as well as in regional and national conversations. Additionally, Flores will provide guidance and leadership to a skilled team of professionals who support COP’s work.
Flores, the first Latino and military veteran executive director of COP, brings a wealth of experience in higher education policy, advocacy, and engagement with over two decades of involvement in higher education institutions and agencies across multiple states and sectors.
Washington’s six public baccalaureate institutions are the primary providers of bachelor’s and graduate/professional degrees in the state. COP strives to be a unified voice for the public baccalaureate sector and to be the most respected and trusted resource for decision makers on issues affecting public higher education. Fulfilling a crucial coordinating role, COP fosters collaboration among the public baccalaureates, as well as with other educational partners, both in Washington and nationally.
As COP moves forward under Flores’s leadership, it will build upon past achievements and strive for progress within Washington’s public higher education sector. Stay tuned for updates as COP continues to work towards shaping the future of higher education in the state.
Read more about Ruben Flores on COP’s staff page.
To receive the latest Council of Presidents news in your inbox, enter your email address below.
You must be logged in to post a comment.