DRAFT: Pennsylvania Master Plan for Higher Education (PDF) - This redline draft reflects additional revisions made in response to discussion during the October 14, 2022, Special Meeting of the Council of Higher Education.
The Public School Code of 1949 directs the State Board of Education (Board) to adopt a Master Plan for Higher Education (Master Plan) every 10 years for the guidance of the Governor, the General Assembly, and all institutions of higher education funded wholly or in part by state appropriations. The Board's Council of Higher Education (Council) is tasked with developing a Master Plan for adoption by the Board.
The Council initiated an update to the Master Plan in January 2021. At that time, the Council held a working session to review the requirements for a Master Plan as set forth in the Public School Code. The working session provided an open forum for members to discuss their vision for a new Master Plan and to determine how to structure the work to develop a new plan. The Council also reviewed and invited discussion on a draft table of contents that identified strategic priorities around which a new Master Plan will be centered. DRAFT: Proposed Table of Contents for Pennsylvania Master Plan for Higher Education.
The Council determined that it would appoint an Advisory Committee to consult with in the development of a new Master Plan representative of all postsecondary education sectors in the Commonwealth, workforce development representatives, and leadership from the Department of Education and the Department of Labor and Industry. The membership of the Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) was considered and approved by the Council at a public meeting in March 2021 and, at the request of Council members, an additional Advisory Committee member representing the Commonwealth's workforce development needs was added in May 2021.
Finally, the Public School Code of 1949 empowers the Council to require the submission of long-range plans from public and private institutions of higher education and directs such documents to be reviewed in the development of a new Master Plan. In accordance with the Public School Code, the Council invited all institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth to submit publicly available links to the institution's most recent strategic plan, annual plan, or similar document. The Council also invited institutions to submit links to dashboards with outcome metrics developed to accompany the institution's strategic plan, annual plan, or similar document, as well as links to other relevant resources associated with those items. These documents will be reviewed in the development of a new Master Plan.
The Council and the Advisory Committee began holding bimonthly working sessions in July 2021. All meetings of the Council and the Advisory Committee were open to the public and were livestreamed for public viewing. Below, you will find an index of past meetings agendas, along with presentations made to the Council and Advisory Committee.
In September 2022, the Council recommended adoption of a Master Plan to the State Board of Education and the Board referred the Plan back to the Council. The Council held a public Special Meeting on October 14, 2022, to provide time for additional input on the Master Plan by members of the Board. A redline version of an updated draft reflecting discussion at that Special Meeting is posted at the top of this page.
Council of Higher Education & Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Advisory Committee Members
Dr. Brenda Allen, Lincoln University (HBCU representative)
Carrie Amann, Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association
Elizabeth Bolden, Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges
Sharif El-Mekki, Center for Black Educator Development
Dr. Thomas Foley, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania
Dr. Patrick Gallagher, University of Pittsburgh (State-related university rep.)
Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Dr. Daniel Greenstein, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Sheila Ireland, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
Pedro Rivera, Thaddeus Stevens Institute of Technology
Aaron Shenck, Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools
Working Session Agendas
The 369th Meeting of The State Board of Education
July 13, 2022
Meeting Location: 333 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17126
Meeting will be livestreamed for public viewing at:
Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/91558360232?pwd=ZUpOaE5DOGxtVDVZdlRJMng2bFp0QT09
Passcode: 939650,
Telephone: 929-205-6099 (Toll Free),
Meeting ID: 935 8928 9908
Wednesday, July 13, 2022: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Working Session Honors Suite, 1st Floor
I. Council of Higher Education & Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Call to Order: Hon. Pedro Rivera, Chairman
Opening Remarks
Approval of the Minutes: May 4, 2022 meeting
Presentation:
- Feedback from Pennsylvania's Postsecondary Community on the Master Plan for Higher Education
Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, PDE
An overview of postsecondary community leaders' input on strategies to support strategic priorities, metrics to measure progress to reach Pennsylvania's postsecondary attainment goal and strategic priorities, and economic profiles.
Presentation and Discussion Item: Advisory Committee & Council Members- Draft Master Plan for Higher Education
An overview of the draft Master Plan for Higher Education and a facilitated discussion with State Board of Education Council of Higher Education members as well as Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee members.
Public CommentClosing Remarks and Next Steps
May 4, 2022
Meeting will be livestreamed for public viewing at:
Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/93589289908?pwd=ZXRiZ0JxLzlxMEZNQmZnNnBhOHdkQT09
Passcode: 939650
Wednesday, May 4, 2022: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Working Session Honors Suite, 1st Floor
Call to Order, Karen Farmer White
Opening Remarks
Approval of the Minutes: March 16, 2022 meeting
Presentation: Innovating and Redesigning Postsecondary Institutions for Today's Learners: Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, PDE
- Panel 1: Pennsylvania Institutions of Higher Education
- Moderator: Dr. Geleana Alston, Associate Professor, North Carolina A&T State University
- Panelists:
- Dr. Michelle Filling-Brown, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Cabrini University
-
Dr. Christopher Gray, President, Erie County Community College
- Dr. Nicole Hurd, President, Lafayette College
-
Dr. Jodi Levine Laufgraben, Vice Provost Academic Affairs, Assessment and Institutional Research, Temple University
- Panel 2: Learning from Peers in Other States and National Experts
- Moderator: Meredith Kolodner, Journalist and Author, The Hechinger Report
- Panelists:
- Justin Archer Burch, Director, Rural LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)
-
Marie Cini, Provost, University of the People
-
Jacob Fraire, President and CEO, Texas Association of Community Colleges
-
Michael Itzkowitz, Senior Fellow for Higher Education, Third Way
-
Mamie Voight, President and CEO, Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP)
- Panel 3: Voices of Pennsylvania Students
- Moderator: Ikeia Miller, Senior Program Manager, Jobs for the Future
- Panelists:
- Jinay Frazier, Student, Philadelphia Technician Training Institute
-
Claire Richardson, Returning Student
- Strategic Priority: Innovate and Redesign Postsecondary Institutions for Today’s Learners
Adjournment
March 16, 2022
Meeting Location: 333 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17126
Meeting will be livestreamed for public viewing at:
Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/91769992037?pwd=ZVVrNTd1bHdxa295U3JsU1JQVklxZz09
Passcode: 738321
Call to Order
Opening Remarks
Approval of the Minutes: January 13, 2022 meeting
Presentation: Increasing College Affordability for All Pennsylvanians: Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, PDE
- Panel 1: Pennsylvania Institutions of Higher Education
- Moderator: Kaitlin Mulhere, Higher Education Editor, Money.com
- Panelists:
- Dr. Sydney Beeler, Vice President, Enrollment Management, Westmoreland County Community College
- Sherman McLeod, President, Philadelphia Technician Training Institute
- Dr. Timothy Schlak, Associate Provost for Academic Alliances, Robert Morris University
- Dr. Aaron Walton, President, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
- Panel 2: Learning from Peers in Other States and National Experts
- Moderator: Dr. Carlo Salerno, Vice President for Research, CampusLogic
- Panelists:
- Justin Draeger, President and CEO, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Sameer Gadkaree, President and CEO, The Institute for College Access and Success
- Dr. Kimberly McCurdy, Director, Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education, Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Dr. Angel Perez, President and CEO, National Association for College Admission Counseling
- Plenary:
- Speaker: Dr. Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy, The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice
- Speaker: Dr. Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy, The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice
- Panel 3: Voices of Pennsylvania Students
- Moderator: Hadass Sheffer, Special Consultant to the Deputy Secretary, Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Panelists:
- Christina Hasaan, Temple University
- Logan Goblesky, Westmoreland County Community College
- Christopher Ciccarella, Robert Morris University
- Christina Hasaan, Temple University
- Strategic Priority: Increase College Affordability For All Pennsylvanians
Adjournment
January 12, 2022: Virtual Meeting Location
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Working Session
I. Council of Higher Education & Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Call to Order: Dr. Jonathan Peri, Chair
Opening Remarks: Dr. Jonathan Peri, Chair
Presentation:
- Increase Transparency on the Value of Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, PDE Postsecondary Credentials to Individuals, Communities, and the Commonwealth
- Panel 1: Pennsylvania Institutions of Higher Education
Moderator: Sheila Ireland, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Dr. Stuart Blacklaw, Provost and Executive Vice President, Community College of Allegheny County
David Castro, Esq., President and CEO, and Founder, I-Lead (Harcum College)
Dr. Lance Kennedy-Phillips, Vice Provost for Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research, The Pennsylvania State University
Cynthia Pritchard, President and CEO, PASSHE Foundation - Panel 2: Learning from Peers in Other States and National Experts
Moderator: Abby Smith, President and CEO, TeamPA
Leanne Davis, Associate Director of Research and Policy, Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP)
Ben Magill, Associate Vice Chancellor of Economic Opportunity, Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence Center - Plenary: Data Transparency – Indiana’s Credential Registry
Moderator: Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Dr. Ken Sauer, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education - Panel 3: Voices of Pennsylvania Students
Moderator: Dr. Kimberly McCurdy, Bureau Director for Postsecondary and Adult Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
TBA, I-Lead/Harcum College
TBA, Community College
- Strategic Priority: Increase Transparency on the Value of Postsecondary Credentials to Individuals, Communities, and the Commonwealth
The 365th Meeting of the State Board of Education
November 17, 2021: Virtual Meeting Location
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Working Session
I. Council of Higher Education & Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Call to Order: Dr. Jonathan Peri, Chair
Opening Remarks: Dr. Jonathan Peri, Chair
Approval of the Minutes: September 8, 2021 meeting
Presentation:
- Erasing Equity Gaps to Increase Postsecondary Attainment in Pennsylvania: Dr. Tanya I. Garcia
Panel Discussions:
- Strategies to Erase Equity Gaps in Postsecondary Access, Progression, and Completion
- Panel 1: Learning from Peers in Other States and National Experts
Moderator: Ms. Kate Potterfield, Marketing and Communications Director, Higher Ed Insight
Mr. Joshua Frazier-Sparks, Director - Culture, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Walmart
Steven Taylor, D.B.A. President, Foundation Board, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, and Senior Fellow, Postsecondary Education, Charles Koch Institute + Stand Together
Sarah E. Whitley, Ph.D. Assistant Vice President Center for First-generation Student Success, NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) - Panel 2: Pennsylvania Institutions of Higher Education
Moderator: Mr. Marcus Lingenfelter, Senior Vice President Policy & Advocacy, Cognia™
Dr. Peggy Heim, Dean of Student Development, Equity and Inclusion, Lehigh-Carbon Community College
Dr. Elizabeth Meade, President, Cedar Crest College
Dr. Sue Mukherjee, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Student Success, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Clyde Pickett, Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer, University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Rita Tolliver-Roberts, Vice President, Academic Affairs and Provost, Peirce College - Panel 3: Voice of Pennsylvania Students
Moderator: Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, Acting Deputy Secretary and Commission for Postsecondary and Higher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Ms. Ann Jachinowicz, Student, Holy Family University and Graduate of Philadelphia Community College
Mr. Jeremiah Torres, Jr., Student, Lehigh-Carbon Community College
- Panel 1: Learning from Peers in Other States and National Experts
Discussion Item: Advisory Committee & Council Members
- Strategic Priority 2: Erase Equity Gaps in Postsecondary Access, Progression, and Completion, by Race, Ethnicity, Income, Age, and Geography
Public Comment
Adjournment
September 8, 2021: Virtual Meeting Location
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Working Session
I. Council of Higher Education & Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Call to Order: Dr. Jonathan Peri, Chair
Opening Remarks: Dr. Jonathan Peri, Chair
Presentation: Dr. Tanya I. Garcia
- Update on Postsecondary Attainment in Pennsylvania
- Strategic Priority 1: Increase Credential Completion to Meet the Commonwealth’s Need for Talent
July 14, 2021: Virtual Meeting Location
10:00 a.m. – Working Session
I. Council of Higher Education & Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Call to Order: Dr. Jonathan Peri, Chair
Opening Comments
Introductions
Overview: Dr. Jonathan Peri and Dr. Tanya I. Garcia
- Master Plan for Higher Education
- Master Plan Requirements
- Role of the Council of Higher Education
- Role of the Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
- Proposed Table of Contents
- Next Steps
- Future Meetings & Project Timeframe
- Long-range Plans from Institutions of Higher Education
Feedback from Pennsylvania's Postsecondary Community on the Master Plan for Higher Education (PDF)
Presentation by Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, at the July 13, 2022 Working Session of the Council of Higher Education and the Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Strategic Priority 3: Increase College Affordability for All Pennsylvanians (PDF)
Presentation by Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, at the March 16, 2022 Working Session of the Council of Higher Education and Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Strategic Priority 4: Innovate and Redesign Postsecondary Institutions for Today's Learners (PDF)
Presentation by Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, at the May 4, 2022 Working Session of the Council of Higher Education and Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Strategic Priority 5: Increase Transparency on the value of Postsecondary Credentials to Individuals, Communities, and the Commonwealth (PDF)
Presentation by Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, at the January 12, 2022, Working Session of the Council of Higher Education and Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Credential Transparency in Indiana & Why It's Important (PDF)
Presentation by Dr. Ken Sauer, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education at the January 12, 2022, Working Session of the Council of Higher Education and Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Building the Roadmap to Increase Postsecondary Attainment in the Commonwealth, 2022-2023 (PDF)
Presentation by Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, at the September 8, 2021, Working Session of the Council of Higher Education and Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Strategic Priority 2: Erase Equity Gaps in Postsecondary Access, Progression, and Completion by Race, Ethnicity, Income, Age, Gender, and Geography (PDF)
Presentation by Dr. Tanya I. Garcia, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, at the November 17, 2021, Working Session of the Council of Higher Education and Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Resources for the Master Plan for Higher Education Advisory Committee
Public perceptions of affordability
- College Affordability Views and College Enrollment. National Center for Education Statistics. January 2022
- Majority of borrowers say fed student loan debt is not worth it, CNBC survey finds. CNBC Survey. January 2022
Data on Costs of College and Student Debt
- Student Debt and the Class of 2020. Interactive Map of Costs and Student Debt in the USA 2019-2020. The Institute for College Access & Success (ticas.org). November 2021
- Average Costs and Student Debt Figures for Pennsylvania Four-Year Colleges (2019-2020). See Page 11. The Institute for College Access and Success. November 2021.
- Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2020 - May 2021 - Student Loans. Federal Reserve Bank. 2021
Policy Recommendations
- Action Guide for Adult-Ready Transformation: Operational Change. Education Strategy Group. 2021
- Action Guide for Adult-Ready Transformation: Accessibility. Education Strategy Group. 2021
- Impact of State Higher Education Appropriations and Financial Aid. (Executive Summary). State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). 2021
- State Advocacy Toolkit. National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (nasfaa.org). 2021
- Out With the Old, In With the New: Rating Higher Ed by Economic Mobility. Third Way. January 2022.
- Debt Without Degree. CampusLogic. 2022
- The Effect of State Appropriations on College Graduation Rates of Diverse Students. Midwestern Higher Ed Compact. December 2021
- The Real Price of College: Estimating and Supporting Students’ Financial Needs. The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. October 2021.
- Issue Brief: State Funding for Private Institutions. State Higher education Executive Officers Association. 2020
- Final Report. Postsecondary Value Commission. May 2021
- Equitable Value Explorer. Postsecondary Value Commission
- Which College Programs Give Students the Best Bang for Their Buck? Third Way. August 2021.
- Postsecondary Employment Outcomes. US Census Bureau. 2021.
- Linking College Majors to Careers: Career Outlook. US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- We Earn | Penn State alumni working and earning in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State University
- About the Labor Market Intelligence Center. Dallas College
- Study: Re-enrolling and completing a bachelor's degree has positive effect on annual income. 2022. K-State News
- Credential Transparency and Informed Decision-Making in Indiana. WCET Frontiers. 2021
- Why information alone is not enough to improve higher education outcomes. The Brookings Institution. 2021
- Counting U.S. Postsecondary and Secondary Credentials - 2021 Report. Credential Engine. 2021.
- Building a better data system. Community College Daily. 2022.