About MHEC
The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) is one of four statutorily-created interstate compacts founded in 1991 and serves Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
 
MHEC contributes to the vitality of the Midwest by enhancing member states’ ability to maximize higher education opportunity and performance through collaboration and resource sharing.
 
We deliver this promise through three core functions of student access, cost savings and policy research that
• promote improved student access, affordability and completion;
• reduce operational costs;
• analyze public policy and facilitate information exchange;
• enhance regional higher education cooperation and dialogue; and
• encourage quality programs and services.

Each member state appoints five individuals to a 60-member governing body of legislators, higher education leaders, and governors’ representatives. Member state obligations, program fees, and foundation grants finance MHEC activities and support initiatives to increase regional collaboration and achieve outcomes that could not be realized by institutions and systems acting independently.

Past Presidents
• David Murphy, 1991-2002
• Bob Kustra, 2002-2003
• Lana Oleen, 2003 (Interim)

Past Commission Chairs
• William Sederburg (MI), 1991-1994
• Sandra Scofield (NE), 1994-1996
• Rep. Lyndon Carlson (MN), 1996-1998
• Jerry Blakemore (IL), 1998-2000
• Sen. Brian Rude (WI), 2000-2002
• Sen. Lana Oleen (KS), 2002-2004
• Jim McCormick (MN), 2004-2005
• Sen. Teresa Lubbers (IN), 2005-2006
• William Napier (OH), 2006-2007
• Sen. Charlie Shields (MO), 2007-2008
• William Goetz (ND), 2008-2009
• Rep. Pam Byrnes (MI), 2009-2010