Governor Parson Announces Dr. Bennett Boggs as New Commissioner of Higher Education and Workforce Development

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – On Friday, Governor Parson announced that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education voted to select Dr. Bennett Boggs as the new Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD). The Commission voted on February 22, 2023, and Dr. Boggs has accepted the position.

"We welcome Dr. Boggs and his many years of higher education experience to the great State of Missouri," Governor Parson said. "We look forward to having him as a member of our Cabinet and part of the team. Under his leadership, our team is optimistic in what we are sure to achieve together in advancing higher education and workforce development in Missouri."

"We also want to give a special thanks to members of the Coordinating Board and Deputy Commissioner Leroy Wade for steadily guiding the Department throughout the search for a permanent Commissioner," Governor Parson continued.

With over 30 years of higher education experience, Dr. Boggs joins the State of Missouri after most recently serving as the Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff for the Colorado Department of Higher Education, a position he had held since 2019.

Dr. Boggs' career includes time with the National Conference of State Legislatures, Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board, the Kentucky General Assembly, and several universities and colleges, among others. 

"Beginning with the creation of the new department in 2019, the strategic plan of 2022, and Governor Parson's and the legislature's investments in 2022 and 2023, it's obvious Missouri is on the move in postsecondary and workforce alignment," Dr. Boggs said. "I am grateful to the board for this opportunity and eager to help further move this work forward."

Dr. Boggs replaces Zora Mulligan, who resigned July 1, 2022, for an opportunity with Missouri State University. Deputy Commissioner Leroy Wade has served as interim commissioner since her resignation.

Dr. Boggs is expected to begin as DHEWD Commissioner in April 2023. An exact start date has not yet been determined as the Coordinating Board finalizes the employment contract.