Rhode Island Educator Appointed Interim President, Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Campus

PRESS RELEASE

Charlotte, N.C. – June 19, 2019 – Todd D. Flaherty, Ed.D., has been appointed interim president of the Charlotte Campus of Johnson & Wales University (JWU), with a start date of August 12, 2019.

“The university chose Dr. Flaherty to lead the Charlotte Campus for the next academic year because of his distinguished career in education,” said JWU Chancellor Mim L. Runey, LP.D. “On a local and state level in Rhode Island, he has been a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent, and a longtime deputy commissioner in the Rhode Island State Department of Education. On a national level, he served as a Deputy in Residence for the Council of Chief State School Officers and a Senior Policy Consultant for the National High School Center in Washington, D.C.”

“I look forward to returning to North Carolina to oversee the vibrant JWU Charlotte Campus,” said Flaherty. “I am excited to meet the students, faculty and staff and to represent Johnson & Wales in the Charlotte community.”

With close to 30 years of service to the university, former JWU Charlotte Campus President Tarun Malik's last day on the JWU Charlotte Campus was today (Wednesday, June 19, 2019). In an internal memo to the JWU students, staff and faculty, the university wished him success in his future endeavors. A national search will commence immediately for a permanent president.

In 2009, Flaherty was appointed president and CEO of The College Crusade of Rhode Island, a college-readiness and scholarship program for middle school and high school students in low-income urban school districts. During his tenure at The College Crusade, the organization was awarded a 2011-2017 federal GEAR UP grant from the U.S. Department of Education that provided $3.1 million per year to increase the college and career readiness of Rhode Island’s low-income students. In 2015, The College Crusade was honored by the National College Access Network with the College Access Organization Award of Excellence.

Although the majority of his professional career occurred in Rhode Island, Flaherty served as principal of the James B. Hunt High School in Wilson, North Carolina from July of 1988 through June of 1990. During his tenure there, the high school was recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for its exemplary at-risk student and dropout prevention programs.

Flaherty received a doctor of educational leadership in policy, planning and administration from Boston University School of Education; a master of science in social studies education from Alfred University in New York; and a bachelor of arts in history and social science from Syracuse University

About JWU
Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with approximately 13,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its four campuses in Providence, Rhode Island; North Miami, Florida; Denver, Colorado; and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers degree programs in arts and sciences, business, culinary arts, design and engineering, education, health and wellness, hospitality, nutrition and physician assistant studies. Its unique model integrates arts and sciences and industry-focused education with work experience and leadership opportunities, inspiring students to achieve professional success and lifelong personal and intellectual growth. The university’s impact is global, with alumni from 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide. For more information, visit jwu.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Providence Campus: Miriam Weinstein, director of communications & media relations, 401-598-1157
Charlotte Campus: Melinda Law, director of communications & media relations, 980-598-1004

Photo of incoming Interim President Todd Flaherty available upon request.