Zemsky earned a Bachelor of Arts at Whittier College in 1962 and a Doctor of Philosophy in History at Yale University in 1966. His dissertation advisor was Edmund South. Morgan. He published a study of Massachusetts colonial politics, and taught in the American studies Department at the University of Pennsylvania.
He pioneered the use of prospective student market analyses in higher education. Zemsky"s research focuses on assisting institutions of higher education in balancing a commitment to their mission with market success, and he pioneered the use of market analyses in higher education. He is perhaps most famous for his reform efforts that encourage colleges and universities to move to a three-year bachelor"s degree program, though he is often cited as a strong voice on college reform, addressing issues such as college cost and quality.
Internationally, Zemsky has worked as a consultant and leader on the formation of national goals and education policies for organizations and governments in Japan, Hungary, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Tunisia, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, and Bahrain.
He received two honorary degrees: a Doctor of Humane Letters (Honorary) from Towson University (1998) and a Doctor of Humane Letters (Honorary) from Franklin and Marshall College (2008). Zemsky was named one of higher education"s top 40 leaders by Change magazine in 1998. He is a former Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and in 2005 he was a member of Secretary of Margaret Spellings" Commission on the Future of Higher He has also served as the co-director of the National Center on the al Quality of the Workforce, as a senior scholar with the National Center for Postsecondary Improvement, as chair and convener of the Pew Higher Roundtable, as senior editor for Policy Perspectives, and as a founding member of the National Advisory Board for the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Zemsky served on the Board of Trustees of Franklin and Marshall College for 25 years and now serves on the Board of Whittier College.
He is a former Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and in 2005 he was a member of Secretary of Margaret Spellings" Commission on the Future of Higher He has also served as the co-director of the National Center on the al Quality of the Workforce, as a senior scholar with the National Center for Postsecondary Improvement, as chair and convener of the Pew Higher Roundtable, as senior editor for Policy Perspectives, and as a founding member of the National Advisory Board for the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).
