Gov. Steve Beshear says an organizational change for the Council on Post secondary Education will strengthen the state's hand in seeking a new higher education chief.

Beshear signed an executive order Thursday to have the council report directly to the governor's office.

The council has been attached to the Education Cabinet.

The governor says the change means the council's president will be one of his top advisers.

The council is searching for a permanent president. Council member Donna Moore says the search is on schedule, and she expressed hope a new president can be chosen by December.