Indianapolis – August 19, 2015 – Harrison College (formally Indiana Business College) today announced that James D. Hutton, Ph.D., was appointed president and chief executive officer of Harrison College, effective August 19, 2015. Dr. Hutton succeeds Jason Konesco, who will remain on the board of directors for Harrison.
“I have been extremely blessed to have worked alongside so many talented and dedicated individuals who serve our mission and help students achieve their dreams,” said Jason Konesco, former president. The last 17 years have been years of evolution and transformation for the College. I feel equally fortunate to have Jim Hutton succeed me. He is one of the most talented college leaders I know, and Harrison will be poised for continued growth and exceptional student outcomes under his leadership.”
Dr. Hutton joins Harrison from Keiser University where he was the managing director of Keiser’s Center for Career Education and Leadership and a professor for the Master of Science in Education–Career College. He will continue his role as the publisher of Career Education Review, a leading resource for career colleges.
“I am deeply honored and excited at the opportunity to serve as Harrison College’s next president,” Hutton said. “Harrison College has a legacy of more than 113 years and that history and commitment to the students and communities is something that I look forward to continuing. Harrison is well positioned for continued success with its mission focused on a unique culture, individualized support, commitment to quality and preparing students for career success due to the outstanding leadership of President Konesco, the board and the college faculty and staff. I look forward with much enthusiasm to working with the college team to leverage existing strengths while reenergizing the mission of the College and serving the needs of the students and communities.”
Dr. Hutton has served as director for the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) and a commissioner and director for the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), serving as the board chair in 2006. He also holds a position on the board for Quest Education, and he was the CEO/Chancellor of Anthem Education Group since April 2012.
Dr. Hutton is a well-known leader in the career-college sector with more than 26 years in guiding strategy and building vision. In 2000, he co-founded Education Corporation of America (ECA), which owns several private college groups including Virginia College. From 1995 until his retirement in 2007, Dr. Hutton held a variety of positions, including chief operating officer, vice chairman and stockholder, culminating his tenure there as chief executive officer before retiring in 2007.
Dr. Hutton is widely published on topics related to career education as seen in the Journal of Health Care Marketing, Health Care Marketing Quarterly, Journal of International Retailing and Health Care Management Review. Dr. Hutton earned a bachelor’s in business administration with honors from Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala., and graduated summa cum laude with an MBA and Ph.D. in Administration-Health Services from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
“On behalf of Harrison’s Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Hutton to the Harrison College family,” said Craig F. Pfannenstiehl, board member. “His leadership skills and background in driving student-centered success as well as his dedication to the Harrison mission will serve the community well as the seventh president of Harrison College.”