MIDDLEBURY, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Middlebury Interactive Languages (MIL), the premier provider of world language instruction for K-12 students, has named former Massachusetts Governor and national education leader Jane Swift as CEO. Swift brings more than two decades of leadership in education technology, public policy and administration to MIL, a joint venture of Middlebury College, renowned for its world language programs, and K12 Inc., the nation’s largest provider of curriculum and online education for K-12 students.
Founded in 2010, MIL offers a rich portfolio of world language products, both online and in brick-and-mortar schools, using language immersion as well as other techniques to accommodate different learning styles. By leveraging the online tools and reach of K12 and Middlebury College’s century of excellence in world language instruction, MIL provides proven and cost-effective world language programs for students, teachers and school districts across the country. As a result, MIL is well positioned to help reverse the alarming trend of public schools dropping world language programs due to budget cuts.
“Learning a world language is important for students in many ways, but of greatest concern is the reality that America is falling behind other nations in preparing students with the language proficiency needed to compete in the global economy,” said Swift. “It really excites me that MIL has the potential to transform how we teach and learn languages and better connect us to the rest of the world. I am delighted to work with such a great team to help more students gain the 21st Century skill of world language.”
Swift is also a Distinguished Lecturer of Leadership Studies at Williams College, where she has taught a class on leadership in politics for the past three years. Prior to MIL, Swift served as the Senior Vice President of Government Solutions and Strategy for ConnectEDU, a Boston-based private education technology company focusing on student college and career transitions. She also served as a General Partner at Arcadia Partners in Boston, a national education venture capital firm, and founder of WNP Consulting, an educational consultancy with clients across the country.
“With a leader of Jane Swift’s stature at the helm, we're confident that Middlebury Interactive Languages will set a new standard in the world language learning industry across the nation,” said Ron Packard, founder and Chief Executive Officer of K12 Inc. “The need for strong world language skills is critical in today’s 21st Century global economy, and Jane's deep understanding of K12's virtual school model and her proven record as an education leader will help MIL reach more students across the country."
MIL is leading the way to support world language proficiency as a critical core skill for all students. Better communication skills, along with cultural awareness obtained through world language study empower pre-college students entering a competitive and increasingly global workforce. Additional academic benefits to second language acquisition include improved cognitive abilities, better memory, and higher academic achievement. In fact, according to the College Board, students who completed at least four years of foreign-language study scored more than 100 points higher on each section of the SAT than students who took a half year or less.
“We are delighted to have Jane join us on this important educational initiative,” said Ronald D. Liebowitz, President of Middlebury College. “World language opportunities for primary and secondary school students in this country are declining due to financial pressures, yet the need has never been more important to our nation’s global competitiveness and to each student’s future success. Jane's leadership can help expand the reach and effectiveness of Middlebury’s renowned language immersion methodology, bringing both global culture and communication to an even wider audience of young students."
While serving as a public official for more than a decade, Swift made ensuring excellence in every Massachusetts school her top priority. As a three-term state Senator, Swift assisted in drafting the landmark 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform Act. As Governor from April 2001 to January 2003 she implemented many of the critical components of the new law. She also implemented sweeping changes in the Massachusetts public schools, which have been consistently ranked among the best in the nation. Recognizing the gains made under Swift’s watch, the U.S. Department of Education in January 2003 declared Massachusetts schools a national model.
Swift, who has received seven honorary degrees, received a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Trinity College, in Hartford, Connecticut. During college, Swift spent a term abroad in Rome, Italy, where she was immersed in the local culture and became conversational in Italian, a language which she had heard regularly growing up when visiting her grandmother’s home. Her daughters are currently engaged in learning world language as well, and have been studying online with the Powerspeak12 program for the past three years.
A native of North Adams, Massachusetts, Swift resides with her husband, Chuck Hunt, and their three daughters in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
About Middlebury Interactive Languages
Middlebury Interactive Languages (MIL) is the premier academic leader in world language instruction for K-12 students. A joint venture of Middlebury College and K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), MIL is a national leader in providing greater access to superior world language programs and a key contributor to the success of digital learning initiatives to provide students with the skills they need to be competitive in a 21st Century global marketplace.
Middlebury Interactive Languages offers a portfolio of world language products as a total solution, both online and in brick-and-mortar schools, using academic teaching methods to meet national ACTFL standards. Products include the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy, a full-immersion summer residency program; Middlebury Interactive courses, intensive online coursework for high schools offering Middlebury immersion; Powerspeak12 robust online language focus courses for grades 3-12; Avant STAMP assessment; and MIL Professional Development.