Michael Goldstein Joins College as Chief Innovation Officer

June 27, 2023

Franklin Cummings Tech named Michael Goldstein as the college’s new Chief Innovation Officer. Goldstein will expand educational opportunities for students, strengthen industry connections to develop career-oriented programs, and attract adult learners to the technical college to support the college’s mission of delivering transformative technical and trade education across the region.

“Michael Goldstein’s passion for expanding access to higher education will play a pivotal role in our mission to cultivate supportive and innovative learning in our programs,” said Aisha Francis, President & CEO. “We are excited to welcome Michael into our community as we continue to make a lasting impact on our region’s economic and social fabric.”

Goldstein’s previous experience includes senior leadership positions in various organizations committed to helping young students maximize their potential and connect to opportunity. Most recently, he served as the Executive Director of the Verto Fund, an organization focused on lowering the cost of study abroad programs for low-income students. Prior to Verto Education, Goldstein served over 11 years at Year Up, most recently as the Chief of Staff of the Scalable Solutions team where he spearheaded workforce development efforts, successfully launched new campuses and academic tracks, and played an essential role in expanding the organization to accommodate 30,000 students.

“As I step into this position at Franklin Cummings Tech, my primary goal is to grow the already vibrant environment of innovation and cutting-edge technology that maximizes the potential of students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their full potential,” said Goldstein. “I am excited to collaborate across programs and departments to assist the college’s talented faculty, staff, and industry partners in equipping our graduates with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the rapidly evolving tech industries that are fueling the region’s economy.”

Goldstein joins Franklin Cummings Tech as the college prepares for the next iteration of its 115-year-old vision to train students for high-paying, generational wealth-creating careers in the technical and trade industries. The newly rebranded college is preparing to move into a new, state-of-the-art campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square; launch an associate degree program in biotechnology and develop additional courses for its new Center for Energy Efficiency and the Trades; all aligned with expanding the college’s focus of building a workforce required to fill jobs in growing clean tech, renewable energy, and sustainable construction industries.

In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, Michael Goldstein is proficient in Czech, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic, skills that will foster inclusivity and promote diversity within the institute. Besides being Chief Innovation Officer, Goldstein will also serve as Interim Dean of Admissions.