Gov. Robert Bentley has appointed Auburn Montgomery Chancellor John G. Veres III to the state’s newly formed College and Career Ready Task Force.
Led by Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, House Speaker Mike Hubbard, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh and Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield, the task force will unite representatives from K-12 schools, higher education and the business and industrial communities to advise the state on ways to strengthen the preparation of Alabama’s students before they enter the workforce.
“The result is that more students will be college and career ready, and more people will be able to find a good, well-paying job,” Bentley said in a statement released on Jan. 15. “As we continue to strengthen our workforce, that will also help us attract more new companies and more new jobs for the people of Alabama.”
Veres has served as chancellor of Auburn Montgomery since 2006. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from AUM and a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology from Auburn University. In addition to the task force, he also serves on the boards of the Alabama World Affairs Council, Catholic Housing Authority of Montgomery, Committee of 100, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, Helicity, and Montgomery Area YMCA.
“It is an honor to serve the state in this capacity,” said Veres. “As chancellor of a state university, I feel it is my responsibility to ensure that our students are successful in their careers as well as their studies. I am happy to contribute to the efforts of the task force as the governor works to strengthen Alabama’s work force.”
The first meeting of the College and Career Ready Task Force is expected to take place within the next month.