biographical sketch of the interim commissioner

Steve Maurano was appointed Interim Commissioner of Higher Education by Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education Chairman Frank Caprio on July 1, 2009. He replaced Jack R. Warner who left Rhode Island to become executive director of the South Dakota public higher education system. Prior to his appointment, Maurano served as Associate Commissioner of External Affairs from November 2006. In that role, he developed and implemented public affairs strategies for the system; developed and oversaw the implementation of several early college access programs for Rhode Island high school students; established, enhanced and maintained system relations with the greater Rhode Island community and; communicated regularly with federal and state government officials in advocating for or against legislation affecting public higher education in Rhode Island.

Prior to joining the Office of Higher Education, Maurano spent 26 years in private industry developing an expertise in corporate communications and public affairs. Twenty-two of those were spent with the firm of Duffy & Shanley in Providence. He was senior vice president and partner there from 2000 until he left to join OHE.

Maurano is a former member of the Public Relations Society of America and previously served as president of the Society’s Southeastern New England Chapter. He has taught public relations in the Organizational Communications program at Providence College since 2000 and also coordinates the practicum experiences for that major. He taught at Rhode Island College in the late 1980s.

Maurano holds a bachelor’s degree from Providence College and a master’s degree in public relations from Boston University. He is a native of Rhode Island and currently resides in Cranston.