MHEC May 2025 News
Greetings from MHEC,
We finished up our season of state visits this month with two days of conversations with Michigan leaders. I appreciate the work it takes to schedule visits to all of our Midwestern states over the course of just four months and thank the hard-working MHEC staff and Commissioners who go the extra mile to make these trips so deeply meaningful.
As I reflect on all the conversations MHEC has had with postsecondary leaders and legislators, two things are top of mind for me: First, there is tremendous pride in place throughout the Midwestern region. People love their states and are passionate about their institutions of learning! No matter where I was, this sense of pride was palpable. And second, everybody is talking about how to better align higher education with workforce needs. This topic will be front and center at our Executive Committee Meeting in Detroit next month when we hear from leading experts on this topic.
Please read on for more details about our Executive Committee Meeting, and be sure to share feedback to help us continually evolve and focus our work.
Susan G. Heegaard
President
MHEC Heads to Detroit for Executive Committee Meeting
MHEC Commissioners will meet in Detroit June 2-3 for the annual Executive Committee Meeting. Commissioners will discuss updates to the organization's strategic plan, priorities from the Ad Hoc Programmatic Investment Committee, and recommendations for the Midwest Student Exchange Program, among other issues. The agenda also includes time for each state to share notable accomplishments and challenges from the past six months and for attendees to tour the Henry Ford Rouge Factory.
Presentations include:
- Dr. Jason Pontius, Iowa Board of Regents, on the latest data related to postsecondary enrollment options;
- Dr. Jeff Strohl, Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University, on aligning workforce skill needs with academic programs;
- Jeanette Pierce, City Institute, on the revitalization of downtown Detroit.
More information about the convening is available on MHEC's website.
Policy & Research
College Graduation Rates for Lower-Income Students Trail Higher-Income Peers
The latest update to MHEC's Interactive Dashboard shows that graduation rates of lower-income students (specifically Pell Grant recipients) were lower than those of higher-income students at public four-year institutions. The completion gap by income ranged from 13 to 23 percentage points in the Midwest, compared to the national average of 16 percentage points. Notably, the completion rates for lower-income students were above the national average in Iowa and Michigan.
The completion gap by income is estimated by comparing graduation rates among federal Pell Grant recipients and non-Pell recipients. In 2024-25, a dependent student from a family with a household size of four (two parents and two children) and an adjusted gross income of $76,313 or less would be eligible for a Pell Grant. Graduation rates at four-year institutions are defined as the percentage of first-time, full-time, bachelor’s degree-seeking students in the fall 2016 cohort who completed a bachelor’s degree at their first four-year institution within six years (excluding those who transfer to another institution).
Selected completion indicators are also available for MHEC states in the report Higher Education in Focus.
Convenings
Executive Committee Meeting
June 2-3 | LEARN MORE
Shinola Hotel, Detroit, Michigan
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment Funding Models: Where Does Your State Stand?
May 20 at 2 p.m. CT | REGISTER
Professional Licensure
Preparing for NC-SARA Policy Changes: Essential Insights for Professional Licensure Program
May 21 at 11 a.m. CT | REGISTER
Resources from Past Events
GCQ Upgraded: New Features and Insights
See resources
Two States, One Mission: FAFSA Completion Insights from IA & NE
See resources
Navigating Professional and Occupational Licensure Requirements: What Community and Technical Colleges Need to Know
See resources
Update on MHEC's Strategic Priorities
Three years ago, the MHEC Commission approved a strategic plan with three key priorities. The plan has been an essential guide to increasing MHEC's impact. Below is a brief review of progress on the three priorities over the past year.
Priority #1: Advance innovation, efficiency & effectiveness
MHEC focused on deepening engagement with states, enhancing its communications, and improving internal operations. As a result:
- MHEC nearly doubled the number of meetings with state leaders and visits to postsecondary institutions;
- The organization's newsletter open rates grew by 34%;
- Work on internal systems has produced advanced data reporting, analysis, and data governance protocols.
Priority #2: Develop collaborative solutions to regional problems and opportunities
Over the past year, MHEC focused on addressing regional workforce development needs, providing regional leadership on critical issues, and improving cost savings for students and families. As a result:
- Workforce outcomes are now a part of MHEC's interactive dashboard and a workforce report is underway;
- MHEC led important and timely FAFSA and open educational resources convenings and initiatives;
- MHEC produced a major report on service-contingent financial aid and prepared recommendations to improve the Midwest Student Exchange program.
Priority #3: Drive cost savings & business solutions.
MHEC focused on expanding awareness and use of cost-savings contracts and exploring risk management opportunities. As a result:
- Technology contract usage increased by 5% and revenue grew 18%;
- Student health insurance contract usage grew 3.8% and student enrollment increased by 41%;
- MHEC developed a recommendation for Stone Arch Insurance Company, MHEC’s wholly owned captive;
- MHEC invested in infrastructure support for data reporting and analysis and enhanced its ability to share MHEC stories of impact and success.
At the June Executive Committee Meeting, MHEC Commissioners will approve new priorities for the coming three years. Stay tuned for details in the June edition of MHEC News.
News Around the Region
Congratulations to Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for winning the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's most prestigious recognition for community colleges. The college earned the $700,000 prize by demonstrating exceptional student outcomes. Read the full story.
MHEC bids farewell this month to Jenny Parks after 12 years with the organization, the last six as vice president for policy and research. We greatly appreciate the depth and breadth of knowledge Jenny brought to her role, as well as her collaborative style and sense of humor. We wish her the best in her new position at Ascendium Education Grantmaking.
Commissioner Appointments
New Commissioners
Rep. Greg Markkanen (MI)
Dr. Raj Singh (MN)
New Commissioner Alternates
Dr. Matthew Draud (IA)
Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea (MI)
Reappointed Commissioners
Tim Fitzgibbon (IA)
Dr. Scott Olson (MN)
MHEC Wraps Up 2025 State Visits
MHEC completed its 2025 state visits with Michigan in May. MHEC is grateful for the time with Commissioners and state higher education leaders and policymakers.
Articles and Resources of Interest
The Digital Divide: Student Generative AI Access
Inside Higher Ed | April 21, 2025
The FY24 State Higher Education Finance (SHEF) Report
Pressbooks expand open educational resources
Inside Iowa State | May 8, 2025
Bill of Rights Institute Launches Comprehensive Free Civics Curriculum for American Schools
CBS 4 | May 7, 2025
Rethinking Education to Re-Engage Youth: Why It’s Time to Focus on Practical Skill Building
Sustainable Development Solutions Network | April 23, 2025
Responding to a PostCOVID Student Population with Academic Support
Inside Higher Ed | April 21, 2025
Survey: Financial Struggles Impede Students' Academic Progress
Inside Higher Education | April 29, 2025