Established in 1991 as an interstate compact agency, the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) - also known as the Midwestern Higher Education Commission - is charged with promoting interstate cooperation and resource sharing in higher education accomplishing this through three core functions: cost savings programs, student access and policy research. As of 2005, the member states of MHEC are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Structure Each member state appoints five Commissioners to MHEC's governing body: the governor or the governor's designee, a member of each chamber of the state legislature, and two at-large members, one of whom must come from post-secondary education. The Compact meets twice each year to establish goals and priorities, review programs and approve the operating budget. The work of the Compact is financed largely through member-state obligations and foundation grants. A small, full-time staff headquartered in Minneapolis administers MHEC's daily operation and programming activities.
Programs & Policy
The Compact follows six major goals in carrying out its mission. They are to enhance productivity through reductions in administrative costs; to encourage student access, completion and affordability; to facilitate public policy analysis and information exchange; to facilitate regional academic cooperation and services; to promote quality educational programs; and to encourage innovation in the delivery of educational services.
The Compact relies upon the grassroots involvement of higher education to develop and implement its programs and policy research analysis. All initiatives supported by the Compact are overseen by appointed volunteer committees of practicing professionals from colleges, universities, state agencies located in member states and some of MHEC's Commissioners. The committee members are identified through peer nominations and selected for their expertise in specific program areas.
The Compact is grateful to the more than three hundred representatives of Midwestern colleges, universities and leadership organizations who serve on its program committees and oversee each of the MHEC initiatives. Their efforts have produced significant benefits for Midwestern higher education and the students it serves. To date, over four hundred institutions and agencies have participated in MHEC programs.
The Keys to MHEC's Success In each of its program initiatives, MHEC has fostered regional cooperation to create new opportunities and benefits for Midwestern higher education. To attribute the success of these programs solely to regional cooperation, however, would ignore several other important parts of the picture. What are MHEC's other keys to making these programs work?
First and foremost, the Compact relies upon voluntary leadership from all sectors of Midwestern higher education to develop and oversee its programs. Each committee appointed by the Compact assumes intellectual ownership of the program initiative for which it was established. The Compact serves as a neutral convenor/facilitator, and also provides the resources necessary to support the committees and their work. Representatives of public and private Midwestern colleges, universities, community colleges, technical colleges and educational leadership organizations serve on MHEC committees and guide the design, implementation and oversight of the programs sponsored by the Compact.
Secondly, MHEC has been extremely fortunate in enlisting the help of institutional and state representatives to assist in guiding its Request For Proposal (RFP) processes. Whenever MHEC invites proposals from national vendors, the high quality of the RFP criteria and capabilities conceptualized the program committees have been strong negotiating points accomplishing program agreements.
Thirdly, one of MHEC's primary policies is to make all of its programs available to all sectors of higher education, from community and technical colleges to large research universities. This serves the dual purpose of creating a massive pool of potential purchasers whenever MHEC issues an RFP, as well as leveraging the best opportunities for institutions, systems and consortia.
Finally, MHEC wants to assist Midwestern states in their decision-making processes. Our Policy Research & Analysis agenda provides quantitative and qualitative information to facilitate postsecondary education policy analysis and information exchange in the region. MHEC provides its constituents with region-wide comparative data and data tailored to each state's unique context. This agenda is responsive to contituent's data needs, issues of concern and current trends.
MHEC is committed to supporting alliances among institutions, systems and consortia throughout the Midwest region to achieve practical and mutually beneficial outcomes for higher education. The Compact respects the integrity of inter-institutional cooperatives and purchasing consortia, and does not wish to compete with these interests. The Compact's goal is to encourage the development of strategies that will enable these groups to form "alliances of alliances" to accomplish advantageous outcomes that cannot be fully realized through independent efforts.
The advancement of education through interstate cooperation is a priority of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. The programs initiated through the Midwestern Compact have served higher education, and the Compact believes that they will continue to do so especially given the substantial challenges of change that face our colleges and universities. Through the leadership and dedicated efforts of its program committees, the Compact will continue to be a positive force in creating new opportunities for higher education.
Contacting MHEC
For further information regarding the Midwestern Higher Education Compact or one of its programs, please contact the main office.
Take 35W south to Washington Avenue exit and turn right onto Washington to 11th Avenue South. Turn right and proceed for one block to South Second Street. Turn right and continue on to 1300 South Second Street to the gray building with red horizontal striping. The MHEC office is located in Suite 130. From South Metro
Take 35W north and continue on 35W when it merges with I94 east and then back to 35W north. Take exit 17-C (U of M West Bank) which will take you to Washington Avenue. Turn left onto Washington Avenue and continue on Washington to 11th Avenue South and turn right. Proceed 1 (one) block to 1300 South Second Street and turn right. The MHEC Office is located in the gray building with red horizontal striping.
From West Metro
Take I394 east to the Washington Avenue exit and turn right onto Washington Avenue. Follow Washington until you get to Portland Avenue. Turn left onto Portland and continue one block to 1300 South Second Street. Turn right on South Second Street and continue to the gray building with red horizontal striping. The MHEC Office is located in Suite 130. From East Metro
Take I94 to the Cedar Avenue Exit and turn right onto Cedar Avenue. Proceed on Cedar Avenue which will turn into Washington Avenue. Continue on Washington (you will go past the Holiday Inn Hotel and cross over 35W) to 11th Avenue South. Turn right and continue on to 1300 South Second Street to the gray building with red horizontal striping. The MHEC office is located in Suite 130.
Link to RandMcNally.com 1300 South Second Street, Suite 130 Minneapolis, MN 55454-1079
1300 South Second St. Suite 130 Minneapolis, MN 55454-1079 Phone: (612) 626-8288 Fax: (612) 626-8290
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