Jim Purcell

Education

ACHE reviews higher education bills, approves new academic programs at quarterly meeting

State officials reviewed legislation to expand teacher loan repayments and scholarship eligibility while approving several new academic programs at Alabama's public universities.

March 17, 2026

ACHE approves $2.7 billion college budget requests, new programs

Commissioners approved a nearly 6 percent budget increase, allocated new funding for education programs, and signed off on 10 new university degrees.

December 15, 2025

Jim Purcell recognized with SHEEO’s 2025 Exceptional Leader Award

Purcell’s three decades of dedication to public service and higher education leadership across five states earned him the prestigious 2025 Exceptional Leader Award.

July 17, 2025

Various grocery items in paper bag on white table opposite gray wall. Bag of food with fresh vegetables, fruits, pasta and canned goods. Food delivery, shopping or donation concept. Copy space.

House committee OKs bill looking to tackle campus food insecurity

The bill would provide a designation for colleges working to combat food insecurity on campus and allow them to apply for additional grants.

April 17, 2025

Majority of college students unsure about staying in Alabama after graduation

The state's political environment, social awareness, salaries and acceptance toward people of diverse backgrounds all received negative marks.

September 12, 2021

ACHE, ACCS to provide educators grants to get Creative Commons Certificate training

The training is meant to teach individuals about Creative Commons licensing and how to create and share their work openly.

March 15, 2021

Jim Purcell steps down as acting information technology secretary

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that Jim Purcell is stepping down as acting Secretary of the Alabama Office of Information Technology. Ivey appointed Purcell to the position in July 2017. “Jim brought a great deal of experience to the table, and his leadership has been a tremendous benefit to OIT and the state,” Ivey … Continued

June 13, 2019

Ivey appoints Larry Turner to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education

Gov. Kay Ivey announced that she has appointed Larry V. Turner to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. He will serve as a representative of the state at large and will be subject to confirmation by the 2019 Alabama Senate. Turner is a retired president of the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in Mobile. … Continued

April 1, 2019

Ed Sanders elected chair of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education

Jasper attorney Charles Edward “Ed” Sanders, Jr. has been elected chair of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). Sanders was appointed to the Commission in 2012, by then Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey (R). Alabama is beginning a new quadrennial with many new lawmakers and changes on education committees in the House and Senate. “I … Continued

December 13, 2018

Governor Ivey attends unveiling of state security operations center and cybersecurity website

Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) joined the state of Alabama’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) Monday to unveil its new Security Operations Center (SOC) and cybersecurity website. The SOC is Alabama’s first ever centralized security operation. It monitors the state’s use of electronic resources, including what is being attacked and where the attacks are … Continued

October 3, 2018