PRESIDENT'S BIOGRAPHY

Tina M. Bjarekull

Tina Bjarekull is President of the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA), a voluntary association of 16 private, nonprofit colleges and universities located in Maryland. MICUA provides public policy leadership and support of higher education, fosters cooperative efforts among colleges and universities, and serves as the official liaison between these independent institutions and the State and federal governments.

Prior to joining MICUA, Ms. Bjarekull served as the Deputy Superintendent for Finance at the Maryland State Department of Education and was responsible for the administration of fiscal policy, human resource management, procurement, school facilities, pupil transportation, and nutrition. Earlier in her career, Ms. Bjarekull served as Assistant Secretary of Finance for the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). In this capacity, she handled all fiscal issues related to State aid for public and private higher education institutions, including operating and capital budget requests and student financial aid. Ms. Bjarekull entered her professional career in the State of Maryland in the Department of Fiscal Services (DFS), an agency responsible for providing professional staff support to the Maryland General Assembly. While working for DFS, Ms. Bjarekull served several years as a Senior Analyst to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Prior to moving to Maryland, Ms. Bjarekull worked for over ten years in the insurance and banking industries in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Ms. Bjarekull serves on numerous statewide boards, commissions, workgroups, and task forces on higher education policy, finance, and economic development. At the present time, she serves as the Vice Chair of the Maryland Workforce Corporation and on the Executive Committee of the Independent College Fund of Maryland. In addition, she is a member of the Governor’s P-20 Leadership Council, the Governing Board of the Maryland Longitudinal Data System, the Legislative Committee of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Baltimore Committee Education and Workforce Committee, the MHEC Segmental Advisory Committee, the Leadership Team for Making Opportunity Affordable, the Workgroup to Develop the 2013 Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education, and the Race to the Top Executive Advisory Committee.

She also participates in several national organizations, including the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and the NAICU State Executives. She has served as Chair of NAICUSE and on the Executive Committee of NAICU, as well as Chair of the NAICU Policy Analysis and Public Relations Subcommittee. Ms. Bjarekull holds an M.B.A. from Loyola University Maryland and an undergraduate degree from the University of Baltimore.