Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

The Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) met on Sept. 16 to discuss a variety of higher education topics, including a new report on how Missouri’s institutions of higher education responded to the pandemic. The board also approved nominations for the Presidential Advisory Committee and appointments to the Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation.

After-Action Report

The board reviewed the second recently published MDHEWD After-Action Report focused on wraparound services offered to Missouri students earlier this year. The report included survey results from Missouri’s colleges and universities to better understand how schools responded to untimely closures during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The department released an earlier After-Action Report in June focused on the online rapid response of institutions.

“Missouri’s students and institutions provided us with honest and thorough feedback on the challenges they faced during this unprecedented year,” said Zora Mulligan, commissioner of higher education. “Offering services like housing, health and mental health care, disability and other support services, career and career preparation, and access to technology, among many others – are vital to student success.”

Going forward, the insights gained from these and future reports will be used to help make higher education more equitable and flexible.

Review the published reports at https://dhewd.mo.gov/covid-19.php.

Appointments and Nominations

The Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) represents all sectors of higher education in Missouri and, as required by statute, advises the coordinating board on issues related to colleges and universities. Every two years, the PAC’s nominating committee selects two members to serve as the PAC chair and vice chair. On Wednesday, Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University, was nominated to serve as chair, and Jon Bauer, president of East Central College, was nominated as vice chair.

The CBHE is also required by statute to collaborate with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to fill all 14 spots on the Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation. At Wednesday’s meeting, the CBHE appointed Dr. Erica Lembke and Dr. Alicia Noddings to fill the advisory board’s two vacancies.

Dr. Lembke is currently serving as the interim dean in the University of Missouri’s College of Education. Dr. Noddings is the Associate Dean of Education at Missouri Baptist University.   

About the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development: The department works to empower Missourians with the skills and education needed for success. More information about MDHEWD can be found at https://dhewd.mo.gov or on Facebook and Twitter @MoDHEWD.