Maryland Higher Education Commission

February 2006 Press Release

 

 

MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION SELECTS VAN DE WATER

TO DEVELOP MODEL FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Van de Water brings 30 years of experience and leadership

Annapolis, MD (February 1, 2006) – The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) has contracted with Van de Water Consulting LLC to develop an effective statewide model for postsecondary education as called for in the 2004 Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education. Lumina Foundation for Education and USA Funds are underwriting the project with grants to the State.

“Maryland continues to lead the nation in developing new strategies to make higher education in our State both competitive and accessible.” said Dr. Calvin W. Burnett, Secretary, Maryland Higher Education Commission. “We are so pleased that Lumina Foundation and USA Funds recognize our capacity for accomplishing this work.”

The scope of work includes:

• Studying the appropriate relationship between and among tuition levels, state appropriations to higher education, and institutional, state, and federal financial aid;

• Examining postsecondary education models that effectively integrate policies on tuition levels, state appropriations to higher education, and institutional, state, and federal financial aid to ensure access for State citizens to postsecondary education and to meet the needs of the State for an educated workforce;

• Make recommendations on a possible model for Maryland postsecondary education and participate in subsequent development of a 10-year growth plan and model for Maryland postsecondary education.

The results of the study and recommendations will be presented at a one-day conference in July, 2006. After the conference, Dr. Gordon (Spud) Van de Water will serve as an advisor to the Task Force, chaired by MHEC and including higher education leaders and State policymakers. The Task Force will be charged with the final recommendation of a postsecondary model for Maryland.

In addition to Dr. Van de Water, the study team includes Dr. Kathleen F. Kelly, Senior Policy and Planning Consultant; Ms. Sheila Pruden, Senior Student Financial Aid Consultant; and Dr. T. J. Bryan, Senior Policy Advisor.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is Maryland's higher education coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and for private career schools.