Maryland Higher Education Commission

July 2008 Press Release

 

 

For immediate release: July 9, 2008
Contact: Christopher Falkenhagen
Communications: (410) 260-4511

Maryland Higher Education Commission names BRAC Coordinator

(Annapolis, MD) July 9, 2008 – Higher Education Secretary James E. Lyons, Sr., today welcomed a longtime educator, counselor, published author and veteran of the U.S. Army as its Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) coordinator.

John S. Stephenson, PhD., a resident of Chestertown, MD, will work closely with Secretary Lyons and MHEC staff on BRAC issues as they relate to higher education in the State. Secretary Lyons serves as a member of Governor O’Malley’s BRAC Subcabinet which is chaired by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, a decorated veteran of the Iraq War and Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he continues to serve.

“I am very pleased that Dr. Stephenson has joined the MHEC family,” Secretary Lyons said. “He is highly qualified to take on this challenging, but exciting position. His diverse background will make him a good fit for our BRAC coordinator.”

In his position, Dr. Stephenson will serve as a conduit between the O’Malley-Brown administration and MHEC in a series of different capacities. Before his official start date, Dr. Stephenson has already attended a joint legislative BRAC oversight committee meeting and has met extensively with MHEC staff who served as interim-BRAC coordinators in addition to their other duties for the past nine months.

“It will be an honor to work with Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown,” Dr. Stephenson said. “This administration’s approach to BRAC has been especially impressive. Their vision and vigor in making sure that Maryland is ready for BRAC is really quite extraordinary and shows remarkable leadership.”

Dr. Stephenson is an experienced and successful small business developer and owner as well as a renowned expert in helping professionals and middle to upper level managers and executives in regards to change, leadership, team-building, stress management and interpersonal relationships. He also created the College Prep Institute to assist students transitioning to college and he is nationally recognized on issues of personal loss and transitional change. His publications include A Wise Parent’s Guide to College Success; Intentional Change: Personal and Professional Coaches Describe Their Work and Their Lives among many others. His legislative experience includes co-writing, lobbying, and helping to pass a Maine law governing the licensing of mental health professionals.

In addition to his years of service in the Army, Dr. Stephenson earned his Doctorate in Sociology at The Ohio State University; his Masters in Sociology from the University of Denver and his Bachelors in Psychology from Boston University. He was also a professor in the Department of Sociology at San Diego State University where he received outstanding teaching evaluations and was awarded Professor Emeritus status. Dr. Stephenson has also been a faculty member at the University of Texas, Dallas, and Coach University.