JEFFERSON CITY—State Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, attended the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) annual policy summit and commission meeting held Nov. 13-15, 2011, on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. This yearly conference is held in order to discuss current guidelines on academic preparation, financial planning and literacy, and other issues related to higher education and students.
“The opportunity to serve Missouri on this compact is exciting,” Sen. Pearce said. “The chance to gather and talk with education-oriented leaders from all across the Midwest region, sharing ideas and learning, is beneficial in order for me to carry information back to share with both the Senate Committee on Education, as well as the Joint Committee on Education.”
Serving in his role as MHEC commissioner, Sen. Pearce attended the annual commission meeting with three of Missouri’s five other commissioners, including Missouri House of Representatives’ Higher Education Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Thomson, R-Maryville; Dr. David Russell, commissioner of the Missouri Dept. of Higher Education; and Dr. Gerald Brouder, president of Columbia College. The attendees also heard from a panel of Iowa higher education leaders who offered insight into providing a path for success to Iowa college students.
Formed in 1991, MHEC’s focus has been on cost-savings programs, student access and policy, and research and analysis. Five commissioners are appointed from government and education leaders in each of the 12 member states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
