Rick O’Donnell’s top goal as higher education commissioner was to elevate concern about the so-called Colorado paradox, the fact that the state has a high number of imported college graduates but does a poor job graduating its own residents.
O’Donnell, who announced today he will resign March 10 to pursue a 7th District congressional bid, believes he made that the foremost higher education issue in the state.
“I hope we’ve really changed the conversation,” he said. “I think we’ve made huge strides.”
O’Donnell was appointed higher education commissioner by Gov. Bill Owens in March 2004. He is staying on the job a few more weeks to oversee a review of Colorado’s financial aid program.
During his tenure, O’Donnell implemented state stipends for college students, called the College Opportunity Fund, and negotiated performance contracts with colleges.
O’Donnell has been using lunch hours and 15-minute vacations to campaign for the 7th District. Come summer, he plans to campaign 80 hours a week and “wouldn’t be able to do justice” to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, he said.
Owens, who called O’Donnell “one of the most talented and valued” members of his administration, said he will announce O’Donnell’s successor within the next few weeks. O’Donnell was Owens’ top policy adviser for five years before the appointment.
Staff writer Jennifer Brown can be reached at 303-820-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com.
