FRAMINGHAM – Framingham State University is excited to announce the hiring of David Halbert as its new Director of External Affairs, where he will serve as the primary point of contact and connection between the University and members of the community.

Halbert comes to Framingham State after serving as Executive Director at Bay State Progress, a statewide donor organizing community committed to building a more reflective democracy in Massachusetts by supporting progressive power building, policy making, and governance. He has also worked as Outreach Manager for The Educational Justice Institute at MIT, and as Deputy Director of Community Affairs for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. 

As the first Director of External Affairs at Framingham State, Halbert will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives that strengthen the University’s relationships with local government, community organizations, businesses, and residents. 

“I’m thrilled to bring David’s knowledge, talent and energy to Framingham State,” says President Nancy S. Niemi. “One of our key priorities is to foster more meaningful partnerships with our surrounding community in order to advance our mission to serve the public good. David is going to play a key role in this effort.”

Halbert has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Northeastern University and is an alumnus of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. A long-time civic activist, and public servant at multiple levels of government, he was also previously an at-large candidate for the Boston City Council.

 “As a Framingham native I could not be more excited to come home and support the incredible work taking place at Framingham State,” says Halbert. “Growing up literally down the street from campus I have watched FSU change for the better for decades. Having the chance to lift up the Framingham State story – and more importantly its value – to partners throughout the city and beyond is an incredible opportunity. My goal is to do everything I can to help support the Framingham State community and ensure that our students have the kind of transformative experience, academically, professionally, and personally, that I was privileged to have as a Massachusetts’ public higher education student.”

Halbert, whose first day is Monday, Nov. 3rd, can be reached at dhalbert [at] framingham.edu (dhalbert[at]framingham[dot]edu).