Executive Director

JACOB LUDES, III
An educational professional for more than four decades was appointed Executive Director/CEO of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) in 1999. NEASC is the oldest regional school and college accrediting association in the United States.

Jake Ludes’ appointment to NEASC followed twenty-one years’ administration in Connecticut public schools, as the superintendent of Montville Public Schools (1989-1999), and principal of Manchester High School (1978-1989). During the previous decade, Ludes served as assistant high school principal in Fredonia, NY (1976-78), Social Sciences K–12 Coordinator at Westfield Academy and Central School (1966-76). From 1969 to 1995, he served as an adjunct professor in higher education with faculty appointments at Jamestown (NY) Community College (1969-73), Southern Connecticut State University (1992-94) and State University College, Fredonia, NY (1975-78; 1995).

Ludes is a 1964 graduate of State University of New York (Fredonia), and a recipient of its Master of Arts degree (1966), with advanced credentials from State University of Buffalo (1965-66), Fredonia (1966; 1975-77), University of Connecticut (1974) and University of New Hampshire (1984). He received the Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa, from Endicott College in 2004.

Ludes is active as a board member or officer of a number of national, regional and international organizations, including the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (1996-1997), President, Southeastern Connecticut Association of School Administrators (1996), President, NEASC (1996, 1997), Chairman, NEASC Committee on International/American Schools Abroad (1994-95), Treasurer, Connecticut Association of Secondary Schools (1988-89), Secretary, Southeastern Connecticut Association of School Administrators (1993), member, The Headmasters Association (1985—), two-term Chairman, Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (1985-1989; member since 1980), two-term President, New York Social Studies Supervisory Association (1977, 1978). Ludes has been the recipient of awards and recognition such as the 1969 Outstanding Young Educator Award (New York State), 1984 fellowship by the Kettering Foundation at the University of New Hampshire, 1984-85 Connecticut Principal of the Year, election to Phi Delta Kappa, University of Connecticut, 1984, and Board of Corporators, Savings Bank of Manchester (CT), 1984-1999.

Ludes is a practicing historian and a member of the Organization of American Historians (OAH), the American Historical Association (AHA), and the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH).