BISMARCK, N.D. - Education, government and business leaders from 12 Midwestern states discussed improving college access and completion at a summit hosted by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact in Minneapolis Nov. 17 - 19, 2008.

MHEC commissioners representing North Dakota at the meetings were Bruce Christianson; James Davis, president, Turtle Mountain Community College; Sen. Tim Flakoll; Sen. Tom Seymour; Bill Goetz, chancellor, North Dakota University System; and Rep. Dennis E. Johnson. Other North Dakota education leaders who attended were Rep. Ken Svedjan, chair, Interim Higher Education Committee; Rep. Nancy Johnson; Rep. Kim Koppelman; Brandi Pelham, Office of the Governor; Larry Skogen, president, Bismarck State College; Steve Shirley, president, Valley City State University; Michel Hillman, NDUS vice chancellor for academic and student affairs; and Marsha Krosteng; NDUS vice chancellor for strategic planning.

The summit was part of Making Opportunity Affordable, a multi-year initiative of the Lumina Foundation for Education. The initiative focuses on the role of states in expanding postsecondary opportunities and on education as the key to remaining competitive in a global information and knowledge-based economy.

Following the two-day summit, MHEC commissioners and guests gathered for the MHEC annual meeting. Currently the vice chair, NDUS Chancellor Bill Goetz now begins serving a one-year term as chair of the commission.

Founded in 1991, MHEC includes 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. MHEC sponsors a variety of programs to reduce costs, increase student access and conduct policy
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research and analysis. The compact is statutorily created and governed by a board of five commissioners from each member state. Commissioners include legislators, governor's representatives and higher education leaders.

A photo of Goetz is available at http://www.ndus.nodak.edu/services/default.asp?ID=523