Curry College recently announced the appointment of Jay Gonzalez as the College’s 15th president.

In doing so, Gonzalez will be making history as the first Hispanic president of the College’s 144-year history, when he officially begins his tenure on July 31, 2023.

Gonzalez has developed a deep breadth of experience in law, government, education, politics, advocacy, and business leadership throughout his professional career. 

His wide range of experiences played a key role in him getting selected from a field of other viable candidates over the past eight months.

“This is an opportunity for a transformational leader to join Curry and coalesce the community around a forward-thinking agenda,” said Curry College Board Chair Pat Hughes. “Jay will be deeply dedicated to Curry’s mission and through collaboration with our faculty, staff, and students, will define a clear vision and strategic path forward for the College.”

Gonzalez is a partner at Hinckley Allen, where he has been since April 2019. His primary practice is representing cities, towns, and other governmental entities in financing and developing capital projects and other governmental programs. 

He began his career as an associate at a Cleveland-based law firm after earning his law degree from Georgetown University. He then went on to become an associate and later partner at Boston law firm, Locke Lord (formerly called Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge). 

After more than a decade honing his law practice, Gonzalez worked six years in state government. More than half of his tenure was spent serving as Secretary of Administration and Finance for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where he managed a $32 billion state budget and oversaw over 3,500 employees in 18 state agencies. 

Gonzalez also has experience in corporate leadership, as displayed in other previous roles, such as serving as president and CEO of CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts and New Hampshire Healthy Families, which provided health insurance coverage to low-income people in state Medicaid programs. 

“We are thrilled to have this outstanding individual lead our college into a bright and distinguished future,” said Hughes. 

While his next role leading a college will be a new one, he’s no stranger to academia, as he served two years as an adjunct lecturer at Northeastern University School of Law from 2020 to 2022. 

“I am thrilled to be joining the caring community of dedicated faculty and staff who inspire and support the students at Curry College,” said Gonzalez. 

As he aims to lead the College forward and into the future, he harkens back to its past and present.

“Together, I am confident that we will build on Curry’s rich history and strong academic foundation and take the bold steps necessary to adapt to new challenges and opportunities in higher education,” he noted. 

Gonzalez hopes to continue delivering a relevant, inclusive, and impactful college experience to each of its 4,700-plus students. 

“An experience where each student can explore their interests; learn more about themselves and the world around them; and obtain the education and support they need to successfully pursue their career and life ambitions,” Gonzalez concluded.