Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Charles Desmond '92 EdD
Dr. Charles Desmond was appointed chair of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education in 2008 by Governor Deval Patrick. The Board oversees the goals, needs and requirements of delivering higher education programs, as well oversight of spending plans and a statewide tuition program. Prior to this role, Desmond served for seven years as executive vice president of the Trefler Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities and success for Boston's urban youth. He also worked for 30 years at UMass Boston; his final role as associate chancellor for school/community collaboration.
Desmond is active in civic and community organizations, including service as president of AARP Massachusetts and as a member of the Review Committee for the Broad Prize in Urban Education, Board of Governors for the Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University, Brown University Design Group/Annenberg Institute for School Reform, and Cambridge College Board of Trustees. He was the co-chair and executive director of the Urban Educators Corps and is a past president of the Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Association, and he has been active with the American Council on Education, and the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), among other organizations.
A Fulbright Scholar, Desmond earned his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University. In 2009, he was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from Framingham State College. He is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, receiving both Silver and Bronze stars.