James R. Gomes, the inaugural Director of the Mosakowski Institute, comes to Clark University with an unusual combination of strategic, administrative, analytic and political skills, as well as a sophisticated understanding of public policy and its implementation. He was the president and CEO of the Environmental League of Massachusetts from 1993 to 2007 where he founded or co-founded several key initiatives, including the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance and the Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative. Prior to his work at the Environmental League, Gomes served as Massachusetts Undersecretary of Environmental Affairs, as Executive Assistant to Senator John Kerry, as a Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General, and as an attorney at the Boston firm of Hale and Dorr. Last year, he co-chaired Governor Deval Patrick’s transition working group on energy and the environment. He has taught at Williams College and Tufts University and held a research appointment at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He received his B.A. in political science from Trinity College, a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School, and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Richard M. Freeland, president emeritus of Northeastern University, has been appointed the Jane and William Mosakowski Distinguished Professor of Higher Education for the 2007-08 academic year. He is nationally known for his leadership in practice-oriented education, emphasizing the importance of connecting liberal learning, professional preparation, and real-world experience. Prior to his appointment at Northeastern, Freeland held a succession of administrative positions at the University of Massachusetts and the City University of NewYork. Trained as a historian, he has a B.A. in American Studies from Amherst College and a Ph.D. in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. He has taught and written in the areas of twentieth century American politics and society and the history and organization of higher education. He has written two books, The Truman Doctrine and the Origins of McCarthyism and America’s Golden Age. While at Clark, Freeland will help the Mosakowski Institute establish a presence within the higher education community and beyond. He also will work with senior administrators and faculty on connecting activities of the Institute to a vision of liberal education that can improve student educational and career outcomes.