Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The College Board is naming former Holmes County Community College President Glenn Boyce as permanent state higher education commissioner.

The board made the announcement Friday after choosing Boyce in executive session Thursday.

Boyce has been serving as associate commissioner for academic affairs since June. Before that, he had served as president of Holmes Community College since 2005.

"There is much work to be and done," Boyce said, saying he would focus on increasing educational attainment, funding for universities, improving facilities and raising faculty pay.

The board had named Mississippi University for Women President Jim Borsig as commissioner, but Borsig said April 9 that he wanted to remain as leader of the Columbus university instead.

The quick vote means four outgoing trustees got to participate in the choice, instead of four new members named by Gov. Phil Bryant who will join the 12-member board next month.

"Dr. Boyce has a proven track record of success in educational leadership," said Aubrey Patterson, outgoing president of the board. "With more than 30 years of experience working at all levels of education, we know he will provide excellent leadership to the system during this important time."

Patterson said the incoming trustees were not consulted. He said board members voted unanimously for Boyce.

"We certainly see no reason why our proceeding to the conclusion of the process is unfair," Patterson said.

Hank Bounds, commissioner since 2009, left to become president of the University of Nebraska.