The state College Board has chosen Robert Bass to oversee higher education projects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Bass, the former executive director of the Mississippi State Personnel Board, will direct the rehabilitation of the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus and the establishment of an additional coast campus for USM.

“I am confident that the board’s commitment to the educational needs of the Mississippi Gulf Coast will be greatly enhanced by Robert Bass joining the Board Office staff,” Higher Education Commissioner Thomas C. Meredith said in a news release.

In addition to his Personnel Board position, Bass also has served as Long Beach mayor and is an attorney and certified public accountant.

The college board governs the state’s eight public universities.