NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The man who has led Gov. Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 higher education initiative will now head the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
Mike Krause will replace Russ Deaton, who has been interim executive director since the retirement of Richard Rhoda in 2014. Deaton will become deputy executive director.
Haslam's office says in a news release that the 34-year-old Krause has been executive director of the Drive to 55 effort since 2014 and managed implementation of Tennessee Promise and other initiatives. Drive to 55 is Haslam's effort to increase the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 55 percent by 2025.
The Higher Education Commission oversees development of the state's master plan for higher education, makes recommendations for capital appropriations in the governor's budget, establishes tuition levels and approves new academic programs.