Twenty-five years ago, the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) was founded to assist Midwestern states in advancing higher education through interstate cooperation and resource sharing. The Midwestern Compact serves 12 states and is one of four regional higher education compacts in the nation. Missouri has been a member since May 1990.
I have been involved with the Compact for more than a decade, receiving my first appointment as an MHEC commissioner in 2003 while serving in the Missouri House. I was reappointed in 2010 and again in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Last fall, I had the honor of being elected as commission chair — a role I will continue to fulfill during this year’s commission meeting. As chair, I have the great privilege of bringing our annual meeting to the Show-Me State, which is why our 2016 meeting will be held in St. Louis in mid-November. Prior to my chairmanship, I served as Compact treasurer (2013-2014) and vice-chair (2014-2015).
Each year, part of the meeting agenda includes an opportunity for the host state to present an innovative program or project that is taking place within their state’s higher education system. Chosen this year is the University of Central Missouri (UCM). President Dr. Charles Ambrose and others from the university will present the Missouri Innovation Campus. The Innovation Campus is a collaboration among the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, Metropolitan Community College and UCM. With a focus on the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, the program aims to provide its graduates with an affordable college education and connect businesses with the skilled, career-ready workforce they require.
Making higher education more accessible and affordable for Missouri families has been a personal priority since my first day in the Legislature. Thanks to the Compact’s cost-saving programs and services in Missouri, our higher education institutions, school districts, state and local governments, and students and families have saved over $90 million since the Compact began. Missouri saved $7.8 million in Fiscal Year 2016 alone. The MHEC also dedicates significant resources to researching policy issues. Important topics that have been discussed this year include the future of accreditation of dual credit programs and multi-state collaboration on military college credit. Finally, an emphasis on key factors affecting college affordability will also be discussed at our annual meeting.
The MHEC is a highly respected organization and one with which I am proud to have served. With 25 years of knowledge, experience and progress under its belt, I look forward to seeing how the Midwestern Higher Education Compact will continue to positively impact the state of higher education in Missouri, the entire Midwest region and beyond.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or (573) 751-2272, or by fax at (573) 526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Caldwell, Carroll, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and Saline counties in the 21st State Senatorial District.