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December 2025

Greetings,

It has been quite a year for the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. We appreciate your partnership as we work to strengthen postsecondary education in challenging times.

One of the most promising outcomes of 2025 is the launch of our Strategic Impact and Innovation Grants initiative, made possible by the growth in revenue from our technology contracts. To date, we have received and funded terrific proposals for collaborative projects in Wisconsin and North Dakota (see article below for more details). Each MHEC member state has this one-time opportunity to apply for up to $250,000. We look forward to exciting proposals from our other member states in 2026!

I am grateful to our MHEC commissioners who continue to bring their expertise and thought leadership to the table for the benefit of our region, and I deeply appreciate the talent and commitment of the MHEC staff. We are a unique organization where—regardless of differences in perspectives or political affiliation—higher education leaders, policymakers, and other midwestern experts can come together to focus on education and our region’s economic well-being. Your involvement, candid feedback, and thoughtful guidance drives our success.

With thanks,

Susan G. Heegaard

President

LATEST NEWS

MHEC Awards North Dakota University System Innovation Grant to Support Career Readiness

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact has awarded a $250,000 Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant to provide all 11 North Dakota University System (NDUS) institutions with access to the career readiness and workforce alignment platform Compass by Golden Path Solutions in Fargo, North Dakota.

“This initiative will enhance student success by offering personalized career guidance, connecting students with regional employers for internships and careers after graduation and aligning academic pathways with workforce needs, which is accomplished through the Compass online platform,” said NDUS Commissioner Brent Sanford, who also serves as a MHEC commissioner.

All North Dakota middle and high school students currently have access to Compass through RUReady.ND.gov. The platform also supports the state’s Four-Year Rolling Plan and districts’ work-based learning processes. Compass impacts how students, schools, employers, and communities connect to ensure every learner has a clear and supported path from education to career.

This initiative will enable Compass to bridge the longstanding gap between K-12, postsecondary institutions, and the workforce by providing a unified, data-driven system that follows students through every stage of their educational journey from middle school to college graduation. All 11 institutions, serving more than 47,000 students, will be able to highlight their programs and employer partnerships to high school students. This transparency will help students make more informed decisions about their post-graduation plans while also helping colleges with enrollment and recruitment efforts.

“We are impressed by the holistic, collaborative, and thoughtful approach North Dakota leaders are taking,” said Susan G. Heegaard, MHEC president. “Compass can help students save time and money, employers develop the talent pipeline they need, and colleges and universities boost enrollment tied to career outcomes. It’s exactly the kind of project MHEC seeks to support with these grants.”

This is the second Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant awarded through MHEC. In June 2025, the MHEC commissioners approved a budget that will provide grants of up to $250,000 for each member state to pursue high-impact initiatives that align with the MHEC’s strategic plan and that are responsive to state needs in such areas as affordability, credential attainment, student success, and workforce alignment. Learn more.

College Wage Premiums Vary Across Midwestern States

The latest update to MHEC's Interactive Dashboard shows that the median earnings of adults who completed some college credit or an undergraduate credential were consistently higher than the median earnings of high school graduates across all Midwestern states in 2024.

The earnings difference between adults with a high school diploma and those with some college credit (including a certificate) or an associate degree ranged from $3,857 in North Dakota to $10,064 in Minnesota, compared to the national average of $7,269. The earnings difference between adults with a high school diploma and those with a bachelor’s degree was greater, ranging from $12,773 in North Dakota to $31,493 in Illinois, compared to the national average of $29,786.

This indicator shows median earnings among adults ages 25 and older with earnings over the previous 12 months whose highest level of education is a high school diploma (including equivalency), some college credit (including a certificate) or an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree.

Selected workforce indicators are also available for MHEC states in the report State Performance Update.

Source. U.S. Census Bureau. (2024). American Community Survey one-year estimates: Median earnings in the past 12 months by sex by educational attainment for the population 25 years and over. 

Dell Contract Update Enhances Return Policy for MHEC Members

Effective through June 30, 2029, MHEC’s Dell contract provides access to Dell's full catalogue of end-user computing, peripherals, and device lifecycle management solutions.

A revised return policy was adopted in response to feedback provided during the renewal process. The updated policy supersedes Dell's global return policy where conflicts exist and applies to all purchases made directly from Dell.

A key enhancement is the introduction of a 30-day return window for most products and accessories, offering institutions greater flexibility and confidence when procuring under the contract. This update reflects MHEC's ongoing commitment to support the evolving needs of member states and eligible institutions.

"We were pleased to obtain a more favorable return policy, as know that the ability to make returns is critical to the higher education, K-12, and government institutions that use our contract," said Nathan Sorenson, senior director of government contracts.

In addition to being available to MHEC member states, the Dell contract is also accessible to institutions located in the states affiliated with the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), the Southern Regional Board of Education (SREB), and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Learn more.

Resources Available from Two Recent MHEC Webinars

Credential Transparency

The presentation and recording from the November 19 webinar on "Bridging Education and Work: How Credential Transparency Serves Learners and Employers" are now available on the MHEC website.

Defining and Enhancing Value and ROI in Higher Education

The presentation and recording from the December 2 webinar on "Defining and Enhancing Value and ROI in Higher Education: State Approaches to Economic Mobility and Economic Prosperity" are available on the MHEC website.