Capella Education Company, which provides online post-secondary education through Capella University, has announced that Scott Kinney has been named Capella University president, with acting President Deborah Bushway, PhD, becoming vice president for Academic Innovation.

Marcia Ballinger, PhD, chair of the Capella University Board of Directors, explained the decision:

 “After an extensive and thoughtful search that included many great candidates, we are proud to announce Scott Kinney as Capella University’s new president.”

Previously, Kinney was president of West Education Group at Thomson Reuters Corporation.

“Scott brings a unique combination of leadership experience in large organizations, a history of innovation, a collaborative leadership style and a passion for education to Capella. We found the right leader inScott Kinney as Capella University seeks to build on its national reputation for academic quality and service to working adults.”

Kinney spoke of his appointment:

“Capella University is taking on some of the greatest challenges in education by providing access to high quality education for working adults, increasing student success, closing the skills gap, and working to provide innovative solutions to make higher education more affordable.

“I was drawn to Capella by the opportunity to be part of this transformational work and to lead such a highly respected academic institution. Capella has been built on a foundation of academic rigor and great faculty, and I take the responsibility to protect the great work that has been done very seriously while we continue to impact the lives of even more adults looking to grow in their careers.”

Kevin Gilligan, chairman and chief executive officer of Capella Education Company believes Scott can help expand Capella’s reputation as “a national leader in higher education”.

“We are confident that his background as a leader and his understanding of the education space, combined with our existing academic leadership, gives us the right team.”

Kinney’s CV is impressive, before being President of West Education Group, Kinney served as president of FindLaw at Thomson Reuters Corporation from 2004-2007. Prior to that, he was an executive vice president at CBS MarketWatch, and worked for eight years at The Boston Consulting Group.

In her role as vice president for Academic Innovation, Bushway will still head the work she began as interim president on increasing student success and developing innovations around educational affordability.