James E. Cowie named executive chairman of the Collegis Education board of directors

Cowie to also serve as company’s lead director and advisor

CHICAGO. (March 2, 2015)—Collegis Education, an enrollment growth management and technology services company, today announced James E. Cowie has been named executive chairman of its Board of Directors. Cowie, who has been a member of the Collegis Board since 2013, will now oversee the Board that is made up of higher education and technology leaders at some of the most distinguished companies and organizations in the country. In addition to his role as executive chairman of the Board, Cowie will also serve as lead director and advisor for Collegis—helping the company build upon its vision and direction as it continues to grow.

“We are thrilled to be able to lean upon Mr. Cowie’s many years of entrepreneurial experience in developing technology-enabled solutions,” said Colleen O’Keefe, chief operating officer at Collegis Education. “Our mission at Collegis Education is to help colleges and universities empower people through education. Cowie knows firsthand what it takes to deliver strong outcomes for students and that includes providing more strategic and focused solutions for our trusted partners. We know he is going to have a tremendous impact on the company and our partners as we help them grow enrollments and, most importantly, improve student outcomes.”

Cowie is a senior advisor at Frontenac Company, a Chicago-based private equity firm where he continues to serve on the Board of Directors for Diversified Maintenance Systems. Since joining Frontenac in 1987, he has focused the majority of his time on technology-enabled services investing. Cowie came to Frontenac from Merrill Lynch Capital Markets where he served in the Emerging Growth Companies Group within the Investment Banking Division. Cowie has also served in numerous roles for civic and educational institutions. He is a trustee emeritus of Colby College and a life trustee of the Illinois Institute of Technology where he is currently serving as chair of the College of Science Board of Overseers.

“I am looking forward to playing a more active role with the Collegis Education Board of Directors and its leadership team because I truly believe in what they are doing,” Cowie said. “Collegis understands the challenges higher education institutions face today, such as reaching students, growing enrollments and improving student outcomes—and the company has already helped a wide range of schools overcome those challenges. I’m confident that Collegis is headed in the right direction and will continue to help institutions change students’ lives for years to come.”

Cowie is a graduate of Colby College. He also received a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.