Indian American makes history as first Secretary of Higher Education in Maryland

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The Secretary of Higher Education in Maryland, Sanjay Rai, has made history as the first Indian American to hold this position, which is comparable to Minister of Education at a state-level in India. Appointed by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Secretary Rai was officially confirmed on May 1, 2024, by the Maryland State Senate. In an exclusive interview with News India Times, he reflects on his life in India, experience in the Moore-Miller Administration, and strengths of Maryland’s higher education system.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What area of India are you from? What was it like growing up in your town?

I grew up in Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, India, a steel town located in the central part of the country. My father worked in the steel mill there for almost 30 years. This mill was built after India’s independence, and resulted in an area which has attracted people from all parts of the country, reflecting India’s rich cultural, religious and linguistic diversity. Growing up in such a diverse and inclusive environment had a significant impact on me.

Share a little about your work in Governor Wes Moore’s cabinet. What has been a high calling for you as Secretary?

I am deeply grateful to Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller for the extraordinary opportunity to be a part of the Moore-Miller Administration, which is the most diverse (more than 50 per cent people of color and more than 50 per cent women) in Maryland’s history. It provides a wonderful chance to demonstrate the importance of diversity and inclusion to the residents of the state.

Personally, it is an honor to serve as the Secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission because Maryland has one of the best and most comprehensive higher education systems in the country. Our agency has the important and rewarding task of coordinating 16 community colleges, 14 public institutions, including four Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 22 private institutions, 8 regional higher education centers, and 140 career and technical schools. These institutions serve more than 500,000 students and are a model for providing access to high quality and affordable education.

What has been your experience in collaborating with other Cabinet Secretaries and what are the outcomes?

In the Moore-Miller Administration, I am privileged to work with an excellent cabinet of experts. My colleagues, who serve as Secretaries, bring years of experience and knowledge in their respective fields. We are a highly collaborative group of professionals with the shared goal of solving problems and moving Maryland forward.

 How has your upbringing and educational background contributed to making you the person you are today?

My father left school after 10th grade, so I am the first person in my family to attend and graduate from high school and college. My educational journey includes obtaining degrees from India (undergraduate), Canada (graduate), and the United States, where I earned a Ph.D. (doctorate) in mathematics. I am fortunate to have learned from three international systems of higher education.

Professionally, I have been a math tutor, full professor, department chair, dean, vice president, senior vice president, and provost. My service in higher education spans from community colleges, to public, and private four-year institutions. These educational and career experiences have given me different vantage points and a personal understanding of the social and economic mobility that results from obtaining a higher education.

The town I was raised in was very diverse. There were people from all over India and the world, who practiced different religions and had various cultural norms. At a young age, the importance of providing a path for people to achieve education and work to better their lives was cemented in my mind. My upbringing in a community that included people from such distinct backgrounds helped me learn the importance of accepting others and working with them inspite of our differences. In this global society, it is important to establish common goals and work together to achieve them no matter what.

Given the current status of higher education in the United States, can you discuss some of the strengths of Maryland’s higher education system?

Maryland has some of the very best higher education institutions in the world. They have highly ranked undergraduate and graduate programs in business, engineering, computer science, life science (including biotechnology and bio manufacturing), data analytics, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

Higher education in Maryland is accessible to all residents of the state with open-access institutions. We are continuously working to ensure that higher education is affordable by making a number of financial aid programs available to students and their families.

Additionally, our Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other institutions produce numerous graduates in highly sought after fields such as STEM and education. The state’s higher education institutions serve as a model for equity and economic competitiveness.

Where do you see the field heading in the next 5–10 years?

Higher education will continue to be more accessible, more affordable, and more meaningful for students. We will take a more proactive approach to the rapid changes that are happening in society. There will be greater alignment between the curriculums that are offered at our institutions and the occurrences in today’s business and industry.

Explain the importance of interdisciplinary programs and courses in higher education?

We are preparing students to solve the problems of today. Whether it is tackling climate change, employing the latest cybersecurity techniques, finding a cure for cancer, or developing a new vaccine, none of these issues fall under a single discipline. Students will need to be knowledgeable in different disciplines, and combine problem solving with analytical skills to find solutions. Therefore, we will see the emergence of more interdisciplinary programs at all levels from undergraduate to graduate.