Dr. James E. Samels is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of both The Education Alliance and The Samels Group, a full service higher education consulting firm specializing in academic planning and program development, enrollment management, campus, multi-campus and system-wide change management, strategic alliances, new academic program development, executive leadership search and organizational development, international education, and distance learning. Dr. Samels is the founding partner of Samels Associates, a law firm serving independent and public colleges, universities, foundations, non-profit and for-profit higher education organizations across the nation and overseas. Dr. Samels holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in Public Administration, a Juris Doctor degree and a Doctor of Education degree. Dr. Samels has served on the University of Massachusetts and Bentley College faculties, and was a guest lecturer at Harvard New President's Program. Prior to his appointment at the University of Massachusetts, Dr. Samels served as the Deputy and Acting State Comptroller in Massachusetts, Special Assistant Attorney General, Massachusetts Community College Counsel, and General Counsel to the Massachusetts Board of Regents. Dr. Samels publishes scholarly articles and opinion editorials appearing in the Chronicle of Higher Education, The London Guardian, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, and The Boston Business Journal. Dr. Samels has co-authored eight books published by John Hopkins University Press. Dr. Samels has previously consulted on projects and presented research papers at universities, colleges, schools, and ministries of education in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North and South America.