Institute for Higher Education Policy

Institute for Higher Education Policy. The Institute for Higher Education Policy is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., focused on improving higher education outcomes through research, policy analysis, and advocacy, often collaborating with organizations like the National Center for Education Statistics, Lumina Foundation, and The College Board. As a key player in the higher education policy landscape, the Institute for Higher Education Policy works closely with universities and colleges, such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley, to address issues like student debt, college affordability, and academic achievement. The organization's efforts are also informed by the work of prominent educational researchers, including Diane Ravitch, Linda Darling-Hammond, and Theodore Sizer.

● Introduction

The Institute for Higher Education Policy was established in 1993 with the goal of improving access to higher education and student success rates, particularly for underrepresented groups, such as African American students, Hispanic students, and low-income students. To achieve this goal, the organization works with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, and business leaders, from organizations like the National Education Association, American Council on Education, and Business Roundtable. The Institute for Higher Education Policy also draws on the expertise of prominent educational institutions, such as Columbia University, University of Michigan, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to inform its research and policy initiatives. Additionally, the organization collaborates with foundations, like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation of New York, to support its work.

● History

The Institute for Higher Education Policy has a long history of working on higher education policy issues, dating back to its founding in 1993 by Stan Jones, a former Indiana state legislator and higher education administrator. Over the years, the organization has been led by several prominent educational leaders, including Jamie Merisotis, who later became the president of the Lumina Foundation, and Michelle Asha Cooper, who has worked with organizations like the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and The Education Trust. The Institute for Higher Education Policy has also been influenced by the work of notable educational researchers, such as Sylvia Hurtado, Amaury Nora, and Vincent Tinto, who have studied topics like student engagement, academic motivation, and college retention. Furthermore, the organization has collaborated with government agencies, like the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health, to advance its mission.

● Mission and Objectives

The Institute for Higher Education Policy's mission is to improve higher education outcomes, particularly for underrepresented groups, by conducting research, analyzing policy, and advocating for equity and access in higher education. The organization's objectives include improving college completion rates, reducing student debt, and increasing academic achievement among low-income students and students of color. To achieve these objectives, the Institute for Higher Education Policy works with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, and business leaders, from organizations like the National Governors Association, American Association of Community Colleges, and National Association of Manufacturers. The organization also draws on the expertise of prominent educational institutions, such as University of California, Los Angeles, New York University, and University of Texas at Austin, to inform its research and policy initiatives.

● Research and Publications

The Institute for Higher Education Policy conducts research on a range of higher education policy topics, including college affordability, student debt, and academic achievement. The organization publishes reports, briefs, and other resources on these topics, often in collaboration with other research organizations, such as the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, Education Commission of the States, and The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education. The Institute for Higher Education Policy's research has been cited by prominent educational leaders, including Arne Duncan, Duncan's successor John King Jr., and Betsy DeVos, as well as by media outlets, such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Inside Higher Ed. Additionally, the organization's research has informed policy initiatives at the federal level, such as the Higher Education Act, and at the state level, such as the California Master Plan for Higher Education.

● Policy Initiatives

The Institute for Higher Education Policy has been involved in several policy initiatives aimed at improving higher education outcomes, including efforts to increase federal funding for higher education, improve college affordability, and reduce student debt. The organization has worked with policymakers, such as Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Bobby Scott, to advance these initiatives, and has also collaborated with organizations, like the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and Service Employees International Union, to support its work. The Institute for Higher Education Policy has also been involved in efforts to improve accountability and transparency in higher education, such as the College Scorecard initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama administration.

● Leadership and Governance

The Institute for Higher Education Policy is led by a board of directors composed of prominent educational leaders and policymakers, including Michelle Asha Cooper, who serves as the organization's president, and Jamie Merisotis, who serves as a member of the board. The organization is also guided by a staff of experienced researchers and policy analysts, who work with stakeholders from organizations like the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, American College Personnel Association, and Association of American Colleges and Universities to advance its mission. The Institute for Higher Education Policy's leadership and governance structure is designed to ensure that the organization remains focused on its mission and objectives, and that its work is informed by the expertise and perspectives of a diverse range of stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, and business leaders from organizations like IBM, Microsoft, and Google. Category:Higher education in the United States