SSTI Digest

In what is often seen as a leading indicator of future total international student enrollment numbers, the percentage of newly enrolled foreign students has increased 8.3 percent between the 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years. This trend and others were highlighted in the annual Open Doors Report published by the Institute of International Education. The attractiveness of the U.S. as a place to attain an education is of great concern to many higher education institutions and public officials because of the contributions international students make to the innovative capacity and economic future of the U.S.  

The University of Arizona's Office of Economic and Policy Analysis seeks a highly qualified and motivated individual to conduct and advance a nationally recognized applied research program in regional economics. Focus areas include regional economic integration, cross border trade and linkages, economic impact analyses, and evaluation of economic development policies. A full description of this opportunity and others is available through the SSTI Job Corner at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

The Hershey Center for Applied Research announced that Laura Butcher will serve as its first executive director, effective Jan. 3. Gov. Tim Pawlenty shifted Ward Einess from his position as acting director of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to commissioner of the state Department of Revenue. No replacement has been named for Einess. Al Frink resigned as the U.S. Department of Commerce's assistant secretary for manufacturing and services. Frink will serve through January 2007. Bruce Johnson, formerly Ohio's lieutenant governor and development director, was named president and CEO of the Inter-University Council of Ohio.

The Hershey Center for Applied Research announced that Laura Butcher will serve as its first executive director, effective Jan. 3.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty shifted Ward Einess from his position as acting director of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to commissioner of the state Department of Revenue. No replacement has been named for Einess.

Al Frink resigned as the U.S. Department of Commerce's assistant secretary for manufacturing and services. Frink will serve through January 2007.

Bruce Johnson, formerly Ohio's lieutenant governor and development director, was named president and CEO of the Inter-University Council of Ohio.

Tiffany McVeety stepped down from her post as director of the Northwest Women's Business Center to become a business banker for Shoreline Bank. Rebecca Villareal replaces McVeety.

Mark Rudin, the interim vice president for research and graduate dean at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will become the vice president for research at Boise State University, effective Jan. 1.

Peggy Schaffer left Maine's Office of Innovation to become chief of staff of the Maine Senate Majority Office.

Marvin Strong, Jr. announced he will resign as secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, effective Jan. 31.

Due to the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays, the next issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest will be published during the week of Jan. 8, 2007. Publication of the Funding Supplement also will resume in January, following this week's issue (Dec. 18, due out by Thursday). Just a reminder, the Supplement is reserved for SSTI sponsors, affiliates and supporters. If you are not in one of these SSTI member groupings, but would like to be, sign up your organization today to begin your subscription to the Supplement. More information, including benefits and a link to a secure registration form, is available at http://www.ssti.org/benefits.htm.