James Tilton, currently director of performance, improvement, and procedures at the U.S. Department of Education, has been named Brown University’s new director of financial aid. Tilton will begin his duties at Brown Dec. 4, 2006.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — After a nationwide search, James Tilton, currently director of performance, improvement, and procedures at the U.S. Department of Education, has been named director of financial aid at Brown University. He will begin his duties Dec. 4, 2006.

In a letter to the Brown community announcing the appointment, Provost David Kertzer said, “I know that Jim’s experience overseeing financial aid in high-level policy positions will enable him to provide strong leadership to our financial aid office and to be an effective advocate for financial aid and for access to higher education.”

Tilton brings to Brown a long and distinguished record in higher education, including appointments at the University of Southern California as senior associate director of financial aid; at Yale University as assistant dean of Yale College and director of financial aid; and at Columbia University as executive director of student financial services. He received his bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and received a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Columbia University. Tilton is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.  

In addition to leading Brown’s financial aid services for American students, Tilton will be involved in the University's efforts to increase financial aid opportunities for prospective students outside the United States, so as to help attract talented undergraduate students from around the world and enhance Brown’s presence in international higher education.

Tilton succeeds Michael Bartini, who left Brown in August to become a senior vice president at the College Board, and will take over from Susan Farnum, who has served as interim director of financial aid for the last two months.

A seven-member selection committee, chaired by James Miller, dean of admission, conducted the national search. The committee included:

• Michael Goldberger, director of athletics;
• Susan Howitt, associate vice president for budget and planning;
• Margaret Klawunn, associate vice president of campus life and dean for student life;
• Karen McLaurin-Chesson, associate dean of the College;
• James Miller (chair), dean of admission;
• Vincent Tompkins, deputy provost;
• Michael White, professor of sociology.

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