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August 2025

Greetings,

I am fresh off the 2025 Higher Education Policy Conference hosted by SHEEO last week in Minneapolis. It was a really terrific few days of sharing and learning with colleagues from around the country.

From many conversations throughout the conference, I heard a shared concern about the difficulties of planning in this uncertain environment. At the same time, there is encouraging information about the value of higher education. One of the conference's most striking presentations, by Stephanie Marken from Gallup, tackled the topic "Do Students and Society Still Value Higher Education?" The data she shared provides us with an opportunity to be thoughtful and proactive in addressing the challenges in today's higher ed environment. You can learn more about other presentations on SHEEO's website.

In other news, I am thrilled to share that MHEC is opening applications for our Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant Program. This is the first time MHEC has been in a financial position to provide direct funding for our member states to pursue innovative ideas. Read on for full details.

As summer draws to a close, we at MHEC wish you a smooth start to the new school year.

With thanks,

Susan G. Heegaard

President

LATEST NEWS

Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant Program Opens for Applications

At the MHEC Executive Committee meeting in June, commissioners approved a budget that will provide grants of up to $250,000 for each MHEC state to support high-impact initiatives that align with the strategic priorities of individual MHEC member states.

MHEC seeks to support solutions that align with its strategic plan and that are responsive to state needs in such areas as affordability, credential attainment, student success, and workforce alignment. This program encourages collaboration within states—among institutions, systems, and sectors—to:

Incubate: Develop and test innovative solutions that improve educational efficiency and outcomes.

Launch: Implement coordinated, collaborative efforts to address pressing state-level challenges.

Scale: Expand successful programs or policies statewide to increase impact and sustainability.

State Higher Education Policy Conference Hosted in Minneapolis

Minneapolis was the site of the 2025 SHEEO Higher Education Policy Conference. The gathering brought together leaders from state higher education policy agencies, national higher education policy organizations, institutions, and state and federal government.

Pictured: MHEC staff were glad for the opportunity to meet with colleagues from its three sister compacts.

College Enrollment Rates Among Young Adults Declined in Most Midwest States

The latest update to MHEC's Interactive Dashboard shows that the share of 18- to 24-year-olds who enrolled in college declined by two to five percentage points between 2021 and 2023 in nine Midwest states, mirroring a national decline. However, enrollment rates remained steady in North Dakota and increased in Kansas and Wisconsin. In 2023, seven Midwest states had enrollment rates above the national average: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. 

This indicator shows the percentage of all 18- to 24-year-old adults in the state who are currently enrolled in college or have completed some college coursework/credits or a credential.

Selected participation indicators are also available for MHEC states in the report Higher Education in Focus. 

MHEC Announces ERPA Contract Award Under Next Generation ERP Initiative

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) is pleased to announce the award of a Master Agreement to ERP Analysts, Inc. (ERPA) under MHEC’s Next Generation Higher Education ERP System of Systems initiative. Contract #MHEC 04282024-C004 is effective July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028. This competitively sourced contract underscores MHEC’s commitment to supporting the entire ERP lifecycle and addressing the operational, technical, and strategic challenges faced by higher education institutions.

The Next Generation ERP System of Systems initiative was developed to modernize core administrative and student systems through modular, interoperable, cloud-ready solutions. This multi-award program supports the ERP lifecycle from early planning and procurement through implementation, optimization, governance, and ongoing improvement. It directly addresses challenges such as aging systems, limited integration, rising compliance demands, accessibility requirements, and the need for data-driven decision-making.

ERPA joins a portfolio of awarded providers offering solutions across this lifecycle, enabling institutions to select providers that align with their unique technology strategies, operating models, and resource capacities.

“ERP modernization is not just a technology project; it’s a transformation in how institutions serve students, manage resources, and adapt to change,” said Nathan Sorensen, MHEC Senior Director of Government Contracts. “The Next Generation ERP awards, including ERPA’s, are designed to equip our higher education institutions with trusted partners who can deliver measurable results across the entire ERP journey.”

READ MORE

MHEC Hosts Dual Enrollment Policy Workshop

More than 70 dual enrollment leaders gathered in Chicago at the end of July for MHEC's Midwestern Dual Enrollment State Policy Workshop. Participants assessed their states' dual enrollment policies, challenges, and opportunities. Together, they began shaping the framework for action plans that they will continue refining in the months ahead.

"It was an amazing, energizing, and productive two days," says Carrie Wandler, MHEC's Senior Director of Policy Initiatives. "It was particularly exciting to see leaders and practitioners engage in a powerful exchange of ideas and strategies. The convening highlighted the collective commitment to advancing dual enrollment and set the stage for meaningful action to expand opportunities for students across the region."

MHEC Seeks Committee Members for Student Health and Technologies

MHEC's committees provide wise advice and counsel for our contracts, programs, research, and initiatives. The time commitment is usually about 1-2 hours every other month. These committees also provide leaders with opportunities to connect with and learn from their peers and contribute to work that strengthens higher education and advances the region.

MHEC is actively seeking members for two committees:

The Student Health Benefits Advisory Committee helps MHEC identify regional solutions to student health needs, including exploring needed student health contracts and programming and reviewing existing contracts and programming. We seek members from all MHEC states, but especially from the following, which currently are not represented: Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The Technologies Community engages IT innovators and specialists from services areas for technology, academia, students, and administration to provide guidance to MHEC on technology-related topics that support higher education institutions and states in the Midwest. We particularly need members from Indiana and Iowa.

To join one of these groups, please contact Breanne Hegg, Vice President Contracts, Programs & Initiatives, at breanneh@mhec.org.

Too Many Students Think They Are Ineligible for Financial Aid

Inside Higher Education | August 4, 2025

Decoding Student Trust

Inside Higher Education | August 18, 2025