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Contact:

Jonathan Lackland
217.557.7334
lackland@ibhe.org

        Candace Mueller
217.557.7354
mueller@ibhe.org



September 17, 2012


Increasing College Readiness and Time-to-Degree Strategies

IBHE to discuss collaborative initiatives leading to college readiness and reducing time-to-degree at September Board Meeting

            SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) will review initiatives underway at Western Illinois University (WIU) that support the Public Agenda for College and Career Success at its board meeting on September 25thWIU’s Dr. Gary Biller, Vice-President for Student Services, and Dr. Ronald Williams, Assistant Vice-President for Academic Affairs, will make the presentation. 

            In addition, Dr. Bruce Vandal, Director, Postsecondary and Workforce Development Institute for the Education Commission of the States (ECS), will discuss the necessity for reducing time-to-degree with a remediation-improvement focus.  Dr. Vandal coordinates research and policy work at ECS and serves as the Director of Getting Past Go, a three-year Lumina Foundation for Education project designed to leverage investments in remedial and developmental education in order to increase college attainment.

             “At each meeting of the Board, we invite colleges and universities to discuss how they are helping the State accomplish the goals of the Public Agenda for College and Career Success,” IBHE Chairwoman Carrie J. Hightman said.  “As they move toward accomplishment of these goals, they are helping to close the State’s educational and prosperity gaps.”

            IBHE Executive Director George Reid said, “The over-arching goals of our higher education strategic plan, the Public Agenda, lead to an increase in the number of two and four-year degrees, as well as certificates of marketable value in Illinois.  However, the amount of time it takes for students to receive their degrees and certificates is now a leading impediment to accomplishing our goal.”  “As we increase degree and certificate attainment in Illinois, we will also be producing a more vibrant economy with higher education as the driving engine,” Chairman Hightman added.  “As a result, it behooves us all to find ways to reduce time-to-degree.”

            The IBHE will meet on September 25, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. on the campus of Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove.


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Copyright 2012

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