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MHEC is governed by a 60-member commission. Each member state has five appointed commissioners: the governor or the governor's designee; two legislators, one from each house; and two other at-large members, at least one of whom shall be selected from the field of higher education.

Executive Officers:

Chair: Barbara Ballard (KS), Vice Chair: Joan Ballweg (WI); and Treasurer: Larry Tidemann (SD); Past Chair: David Eisler

Illinois Commissioners
IL Commissioner - Maureen Banks

Maureen Banks

Illinois Community College Board
Board Member
Term: 3/24/2023 to 3/24/2027
IL Commissioner - Michael Halpin

Michael Halpin

Illinois General Assembly
State Senator; Co-chair, Higher Education Committee
Term: 3/21/2023 to 1/2/2025
IL Commissioner - Pranav Kothari

Pranav Kothari

Illinois Board of Higher Education
Board Chair
Term: 3/15/2023 to 1/1/2027
IL-Commissioner Katie Stuart

Katie Stuart

Illinois General Assembly
State Representative; Chair, Higher Education Committee
Term: 1/25/2023 to 1/2/2025

IL Commissioner Vacancy

Appointing Authority: IL Governor (designee)
Indiana Commissioners
IN Commissioner - Bob Behning

Bob Behning

Indiana General Assembly
State Representative; Chair, Education Committee
Term: 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2026
IN Commissioner - Spencer Deery

Spencer Deery

Indiana General Assembly
State Senator; Majority Member, Education and Career Development Committee
Term: 2/23/2024 to 6/30/2025
IN Commissioner - Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson

Vincennes University
President
Term: 9/9/2024 to 2/28/2025
IN Commissioner - Dottie King

Dottie King

Independent Colleges of Indiana
President and CEO
Term: 4/12/2024 to 2/28/2028
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Ken Sauer

Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Senior Advisor to the Commissioner
Term: 3/27/2017 to Serves At the Pleasure of the Governor
Iowa Commissioners
IA Commissioner - Jacob Bossman

Jacob Bossman

Iowa Legislature
State Representative; Member, Appropriations Committee
Term: 5/3/2023 to 1/12/2025
IA Commissioner - Joanna Hofer

Joanna Hofer

Iowa Association of Community College Trustees
Past Board Chair
Term: 7/1/2023 to 7/1/2025
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Olivia M.A. Madison

Iowa Governor's Designee
Term: 5/1/2023 to 4/30/2025, Serves At the Pleasure of the Governor
IA Commissioner - Greta Rouse

Greta Rouse

Iowa Board of Regents
President Pro Tem
Term: 5/11/2023 to 4/30/2027
IA Commissioner Alternate - Cindy Winckler

Cindy Winckler

Iowa Legislature
State Senator; Ranking Member, Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Term: 2/10/2023 to 1/12/2025
Iowa Commissioner Alternates
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Andrew J. Baumert

Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Vice President for Marketing and Outreach
Term: 2/13/2020 to 1/1/2024
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Timothy Fitzgibbon

Iowa Governor's Designee
Term: 5/1/2023 to 4/30/2025, Serves at the Pleasure of the Governor
IA Commissioner Alternate - David Ford

David Ford

Iowa College Aid - Iowa Department of Education
Bureau Chief
Term: 3/28/2024 to 7/1/2025
IA Commissioner Alternate - Sharon S. Steckman

Sharon S. Steckman

Iowa Legislature
State Representative; Ranking Member, Education Committee
Term: 5/11/2023 to 1/12/2025
IA Commissioner - Jeff Taylor

Jeff Taylor

Iowa Legislature
State Senator; Chair, Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Term: 1/22/2023 to 1/12/2025
Kansas Commissioners
KS Commissioner - Barbara W. Ballard

Barbara W. Ballard

Kansas Legislature
State Representative; Minority Caucus Chair
Term: 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2025
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Molly Baumgardner

Kansas Legislature
State Senator; Chair, Senate Committee on Education
Term: 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2025
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Blake Flanders

Kansas Board of Regents
President and CEO
Term: 9/15/2022 to 6/30/2026
KS-Commissioner Aaron Otto

Aaron A. Otto

Kansas Governor's Designee
Term: 7/5/2019 to Serves at the Pleasure of the Governor
KS Commissioner - Wint Winter

Wint Winter

Kansas Board of Regents
Board Member
Term: 9/20/2023 to 6/30/2026
Kansas Commissioner Alternates
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Marci Francisco

Kansas Legislature
State Senator
Term: 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2025
KS Commissioner Alternate: Ken Rahjes

Ken Rahjes

Kansas Legislature
State Representative; Member, House Committee on Higher Education Budget
Term: 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2025
Michigan Commissioners
MI Commissioner - Carol Glanville

Carol Glanville

Michigan Legislature
State Representative; Chair, Higher Education Committee
Term: 1/1/2023 to 12/31/2024
MI Commissioner Alternate - Daniel J. Hurley

Daniel J. Hurley

Michigan Association of State Universities
Chief Executive Officer
Term: 5/9/2024 to 3/18/2025
MI-Commissioner Brandy Johnson

Brandy M. Johnson

Michigan Community College Association
President
Term: 5/9/2024 to 3/18/2027
MI Commissioner - Sean McCann

Sean McCann

Michigan Legislature
State Senator; Chair, Universities and Community Colleges Appropriations Subcommittee
Term: 4/10/2023 to 1/8/2025
MI Commissioner - Emma Young

Emma Young

State of Michigan
Policy Analyst to the Governor
Term: 5/9/2024; Serves at the Pleasure of the Governor
Michigan Commissioner Alternates
MI Commissioner - David Eisler

David L. Eisler

Ferris State University
Former President; Professor, Community College Leadership Studies
Term: 1/24/2024 to 11/20/2024

MI Commissioner Alternate Vacancy

Appointing Authority: MI Governor
Minnesota Commissioners
MN Commissioner - Rachel Croson

Rachel Croson

University of Minnesota
Executive Vice President and Provost
Term: 9/1/2023 to 1/6/2025
MN Commissioner - Sen. Omar Fateh

Omar Fateh

Minnesota Legislature
State Senator; Chair, Higher Education Committee
2/10/2023 to 1/7/2025
MN-Commissioner Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Commissioner
Term: 2/17/2023 to 1/4/2027; Serves at the Pleasure of the Governor
MN Commissioner - Scott Olson

Scott Olson

Minnesota State
Chancellor
Term: 9/1/2023 to 1/6/2025
MN Commissioner - Gene Pelowski, Jr.

Gene Pelowski, Jr.

Minnesota Legislature
State Representative; Chair, Higher Education Finance and Policy
Term: 1/31/2023 to 1/7/2025
Minnesota Commissioner Alternates
MN Commissioner Alternate - Paul Cerkvenik

Paul Cerkvenik

Minnesota Private College Council
President
Term: 12/8/2014
Missouri Commissioners
MO Commissioner - Brad Christ

Brad Christ

Missouri General Assembly
State Representative; Member, Budget Committee
Term: 7/23/2024 to 7/1/2026
MO Commissioner - Samantha Dickey

Samantha Dickey

Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
Assistant Commissioner for Postsecondary Policy
Term: 7/17/2023 to Serves At Pleasure of the Governor
MO Commissioner - David Peare

David Pearce

University of Central Missouri
Executive Director for Government Relations
Term: 10/5/2022 to 1/1/2026
MO-Commissioner Susan Thomas

Susan Thomas

Truman State University
President
Term: 6/3/2019 to 1/1/2021
MO Commissioner - Curtis Trent

Curtis Trent

Missouri General Assembly
State Senator; Chair, Education and Workforce Development
Term: 5/6/2024 to 12/31/2024
Nebraska Commissioners
NE Commissioner - Matthew Blomstedt

Matthew Blomstedt

University of Nebraska System
Associate Vice President for Government Relations
Term: 10/3/2024 to 1/1/2027
NE Commissioner - John Cavanaugh

John Cavanaugh

Nebraska Legislature
State Senator
Term: 1/11/2023 to 1/1/2025
NE Commissioner - Deborah A. Frison

Deborah A. Frison

Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Commission Member
Term: 1/2/2023 to 1/1/2027
NE Commissioner - Grant Latimer

Grant Latimer

State of Nebraska
Policy Advisor to Governor Jim Pillen; Nebraska Governor's Designee
Term: 10/16/2023 to At the Pleasure of the Governor
NE Commissioner - Lynne Walz

Lynne Walz

Nebraska Legislature
State Senator; Member, Education Committee
Term: 1/11/2023 to 1/1/2025
Nebraska Commissioner Alternate
NE Commissioner Alternate - Michael Baumgartner

Michael Baumgartner

Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Executive Director
Term: 9/3/2014
NE Commissioner Alternate - Paul Turman

Paul Turman

Nebraska State College System
Chancellor
Term: 4/23/2024 to 7/1/2028
North Dakota Commissioners
ND Commissioner - Kyle Davison

Kyle Davison

North Dakota Legislative Assembly
State Senator, Member, Appropriations Committee
Term: 8/1/2023 to 7/23/2025
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Tim Flakoll

North Dakota Governor's Designee
Term: 12/15/2016 to Serves At the Pleasure of the Governor
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Mark Hagerott

North Dakota University System
Chancellor
Term: 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2027
ND Commissioner - Timothy Mihalick

Timothy Mihalick

State Board of Higher Education
Chair
Term: 7/1/2021 to 6/30/2025
ND Commissioner - Brandy Pyle

Brandy Pyle

North Dakota Legislative Assembly
State Representative; Member, Appropriations Committee
Term: 8/1/2023 to 7/31/2025
Ohio Commissioners
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Gary Cates

Ohio Department of Higher Education
Senior Vice Chancellor
Term: 1/9/2023 to 1/8/2027
OH-Commissioner Jerry Cirino

Jerry Cirino

Ohio Legislature
State Senator; Chair, Senate Workforce & Higher Education Committee
Term: 1/17/2023 to 12/31/2024
OH Commissioner - Mike Duffey

Mike Duffey

Ohio Department of Higher Education
Chancellor
Term: 1/29/2021, Serves At the Pleasure of the Governor
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Jack Hershey

Term: 3/3/2021 to 1/8/2025
OH Commissioner Tom Young

Tom Young

Ohio Legislature
State Representative; Chair, Higher Education Committee
Term: 2/28/2023 to 1/1/2025
South Dakota Commissioners
SD Commissioner - Michael Cartney

Michael Cartney

Lake Area Technical College
President Emeritus
Term: 1/3/2021 to 12/31/2024
SD Commissioner - Steve Kolbeck

Steve Kolbeck

South Dakota Legislature
State Senator; Vice Chair, Senate Education Committee
Term: 3/27/2023 to 12/31/2024
SD Commissoner - Nathan Lukkes

Nathan Lukkes

South Dakota Board of Regents
​Executive Director and CEO
Term: 7/1/2022 to 6/30/2026
SD Commissioner - Larry J. Tidemann

Larry J. Tidemann

South Dakota Governor's Designee
1/11/2019, Serves At the Pleasure of the Governor
SD Commissioner - Tyler Tordsen

Tyler Tordsen

South Dakota Legislature
State Representative; Member, House Education Committee
Term: 3/27/2023 to 12/31/2024
South Dakota Commissioner Alternates
SD-Commissioner Alternate Erin Healy

Erin Healy

South Dakota Legislature
State Representative; Assistant Minority Leader
Term: 3/27/2023 to 12/31/2024
SD Commissioner Alternate - Reynold Nesiba

Reynold Nesiba

South Dakota Legislature
State Senator; Minority Leader
Term: 3/27/2023 to 12/31/2024
Wisconsin Commissioners
WI Commissioner - Joan Ballweg

Joan Ballweg

Wisconsin State Legislature
State Senator; Majority Caucus Vice-Chair
Term: 1/30/2023 to 1/6/2025
WI Commissioner - Eric Fulcomer

Eric Fulcomer

Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
President
Term: 7/1/2023 to 7/1/2027
WI Commissioner - David Murphy

David Murphy

Wisconsin State Legislature
State Representative; Chair, Committee on Colleges and Universities
Term: 4/17/2024 to 6/30/2025
WI-Commissioner Julie Underwood

Julie Underwood

University of Wisconsin-Madison
Professor Emeritus
Term 4/2/2019, Serves at the Pleasure of the Governor

WI Commissioner Vacancy

Appointing Authority: Governor (higher ed)
Wisconsin Commissioner Alternates
WI Commissioner Alternate - Layla Merrifield

Layla Merrifield

Wisconsin Technical College System
President
Term: 9/17/2024 to 8/31/2028
WI Commissioner Alternate - Chris Patton

Christopher Patton

University of Wisconsin System
Interim Vice President for University Relations
Term: 9/9/2024 to 8/31/2028