Biography
President Evan S. Dobelle
Dr. Evan Dobelle is the nineteenth president of Westfield State University.
Prior to coming to Westfield State in December of 2007, he served as president of The New England Board of Higher Education since 2004, working to develop “the creative economy” of the region. His achievements in this office were preceded by his experience as president of four quite different higher education institutions: the University of Hawaii (2001-2004), Trinity College (1995-2001), City College of San Francisco (1990 – 1995), and Middlesex Community College in Lowell, Mass. (1987 – 1990).
His appointment in December of 2007 returned him to his Western Massachusetts roots. In 1973, he was elected mayor of his native Pittsfield; he later earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, before receiving his master's from Harvard University. Since then, his distinguished career in public service and higher education has earned him a national reputation for transformative leadership, innovation in cultural and economic partnerships, and advocacy for education access and quality. He has worked tirelessly to encourage students to gain broader understanding through community service, and international experience.
At the University of Hawaii, under his leadership the 10 campuses of the University of Hawaii were reorganized into a unified system. Also, the Academy of Creative Media was established, a new Medical School was planned and built, and support for Native Hawaiian programs was increased. He was awarded the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award by Morehouse College for “being a drum major for the social potential movement.”
While at Trinity College, Dr. Dobelle was named the 1996 Business Person of the Year because of “his vision and substantial effort” in revitalizing the “poor blighted neighborhoods that surround the elite academic institution.” This effort included incorporating both private and public funds to create a “Learning Corridor” in a 15 square block adjacent to the campus, a $175 million partnership. In further recognition of his work, The New England Council named him New Englander of the Year in 1999. That same year, he was inducted into the Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Hall of Fame at ceremonies in San Diego. Colin Powell’s America’s Promise Alliance named Trinity its first “College of the Year” in 1998.
As president of City College of San Francisco, he led a referendum campaign that passed with 72% of the vote to increase the sales tax to fund K-14 education in San Francisco. While serving as President of Middlesex Community College he established a permanent campus in Lowell, while rebuilding a campus in Bedford.
President Jimmy Carter appointed him as United States Chief of Protocol, at the level of Assistant Secretary of State, and with the rank of Ambassador. President Carter has said of Dr. Dobelle, “If I had a sensitive and difficult issue, I would describe it to him, and would not hear from him until it was resolved. That made him very valuable.”
His early professional experience in Massachusetts includes serving as Executive Assistant and Head of the Boston Office to then U.S. Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts. He was also Massachusetts Commissioner of Environmental Management under former Governor Michael Dukakis, and personal secretary to former Governor John A. Volpe.
Dr. Dobelle holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts, and a master's in Public Administration from Harvard University. He has taught classes throughout his career and held academic positions at Trinity College and the University of Hawaii. He is a tenured professor of Political Science at Westfield State University.
He is enthusiastic and proactive in his affiliations with community and cultural organizations; during his presidency of the board of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, for example, the grounds and facilities underwent a major restructuring. Currently, he is on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Pittsfield and on the External Affairs Committee of the Boston Athenaeum. He also regularly participates in meetings and conferences, especially those addressing access and affordability in higher education, "the creative economy," and regional planning.