Message from Our President

Message from Our President: Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper

Since its founding in 1993, the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) has been dedicated to access and success in postsecondary education for all students. We strongly believe that all people should be given the opportunity to reach their full potential by participating and succeeding in college. Not only does higher education confer benefits to individuals, but increased degree attainment rates offer significant benefits to society as well. Given current workforce and socio-economic demands–on both a national and global scale–it is critical to increase the rates of access and success in college and increase rates of bachelor’s degree attainment for underrepresented groups in particular.

Because of IHEP’s commitment to increasing access and success in postsecondary education around the world, we use research and programs to inform key decision makers. In fact, IHEP has produced groundbreaking research and designed innovative programs that have been critical to policy development and implementation on the federal, state, institutional, and international levels. Our research portfolio is comprehensive, covering every major facet of higher education, including topics on access and success; accountability, diversity, finance, and global impact. These reports are frequently referenced by students, faculty, institutional leaders, and policymakers.

IHEP’s leadership in the postsecondary community is also evident by the various programs that the organization manages, such as our work with Minority Serving Institutions through the Alliance for Equity in Higher Education (Alliance). The work of the Alliance, a coalition that represents the collective interests of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities, helped to spawn other strategic programmatic efforts, such as the National Articulation and Transfer Network, Building Engagement and Attainment for Minority Students, and the Summer Academy.

The range of IHEP’s influence is far-reaching and has informed postsecondary education discussions within the international community. Similar to our domestic work, our global efforts are focused on enhancing educational opportunities for all students, particularly those who reside in developing countries or emerging democracies. The Global Policy Fellows Program, Global Center on Private Financing of Higher Education, Measuring Global Performance Initiative, and Ranking Systems Clearinghouse reflect IHEP’s commitment to global education policy and collaboration.

Additionally, we have produced reports on several topics examining the global impact of higher education. The IHEP Web site is a compendium of information about key issues related to postsecondary access and success. These resources provide tremendous insight into the challenges facing today’s students, while also highlighting promising strategies and solutions to many pressing issues. The resources can be used to engage diverse audiences and influence key stakeholders.

Because of IHEP’s independent, nonpartisan status, our work does not reflect the interests of a particular funder, institutional sector, or political group.

On behalf of the staff, we hope you find the Web site to be a valuable resource. We also hope you will return often to continually examine key issues in higher education policy.

Sincerely,

Michelle Asha Cooper, Ph.D.
President
Institute for Higher Education Policy