College affordability is not a singular policy issue; rather, it's a complex matter that depends on state funding, financial aid, institutional pricing, college completion outcomes, and workforce alignment.
In June, MHEC hosted College Affordability Summit: FAFSA & Beyond, bringing together practitioners and policymakers throughout the education-to-workforce pipeline to strengthen college affordability across the region.
The Summit featured two days of comprehensive engagement with notable guests and experts, including a question-and-answer session with Nicholas Kent, U.S. Under Secretary of Education, and a fireside chat with Aaron Lemon-Strauss, Executive Director of the FAFSA Program at the U.S. Department of Education.
Plenary sessions included:
The Summit also included two interactive sessions designed to support organizational roles and state strategies to advance affordability. Nine breakout sessions explored specific policies, practices, and implementation topics in greater depth.
Attendees left with new policy and program ideas and communication strategies that they can use to continue to impact the discussion and perspective of college affordability in their states. The Summit expanded connections: 83% of respondents reported making at least three new professional connections including 47% who reported making five or more. The event also fostered stronger collaboration among attendees, creating the groundwork for ongoing partnerships and initiatives.
MHEC has awarded a Nebraska multi-partner collaborative a $250,000 grant to design a unified, statewide system that aligns learning achievements with workforce needs and connects employers to skilled jobseekers.
The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) will lead the design of the system, collaborating with the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, the University of Nebraska System, the Nebraska State College System, the state’s six community colleges, tribal colleges, and the Nebraska Department of Education.
In its first phase, the project will connect educational providers in Nebraska to a statewide credential registry that will translate the credentials students earn into skills received. Education partners with essential expertise in curriculum, credential development, and academic governance will input the credentials they offer and map them to their value for both students and employers. The second phase will focus on connecting skilled talent to workforce needs by giving employers access to accurate, skills-based job descriptions and to students in Nebraska’s education system.
“Nebraska needs a better way to connect skilled workers with the jobs waiting for them,” said Nebraska Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber. “Right now, the system is too fragmented. Employers can’t find the talent they need, and jobseekers don’t have clear paths into high‑demand careers. We are looking to foster more connections between education providers and employers. This new system will cut costs and reduce friction by making career pathways easier to navigate.”
MHEC’s Strategic Impact and Innovation Grants support high-impact, collaborative initiatives that address state needs and that align with the MHEC’s vision to strengthen postsecondary education and advance regional economic vitality. Each of MHEC’s member states can apply for a grant for up to $250,000.
“Aligning workforce needs with postsecondary education is one of MHEC’s top priorities,” said Susan G. Heegaard, MHEC President. “This proposal from partners in Nebraska’s labor and higher education systems has the potential to have a tremendous impact on the state’s workforce development. We believe Nebraska can be a model for other states as well.”
