MHEC

May Technologies Community Coffee Chat - Research and Advisory Services
2026-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us on Friday, May 15, to learn more about MHEC’s upcoming Research and Advisory Services initiative. This initiative seeks to expand institutional access to trusted research, benchmarking data, and expert consultation. This Coffee Chat will provide an overview of the business case, as well as detail the next steps for the initiative. For additional information about the initiative, including how to participate, see MHEC’s Research and Advisory Services launch announcement.
This event is open to members of MHEC’s Technologies Community. For more information on the community, including how to join, please contact Benjamin Coder.

Behind the Work: Uncovering the True Scope of Licensure Compliance Challenges in Higher Education
2026-05-28 11:00 - 12:30
Join us for a deep dive into the Between the Lines, Behind the Work survey from WCET- SAN, revealing the true scope of licensure compliance burdens for higher education institutions. Co-authors Kathryn Kerensky and Sarah Cheverton will present key findings from the report. Kris Maul will offer additional insight into the barriers institutions face, based on HELP’s work with institutions in the Midwest and beyond.
Discover:
Hidden challenges in navigating requirements for licensure programs.
Real-world impacts on program delivery, student access, and institutional resources.
Actionable strategies to streamline compliance, reduce administrative workload, and expand your online programs’ reach.
Whether you’re an academic leader, compliance officer, or online program director, this webinar equips you with data-driven insights and proven solutions to overcome these barriers and thrive in a complex regulatory landscape.
Presenters:
Kathryn Kerensky, Director of Digital Learning, Policy & Compliance, WCET-SAN
Sarah Cheverton, State Authorization and Compliance Officer for Online and Distance Learning, James Madison University
Kris Maul, Co-Founder and Principal, Higher Education Licensure Pros (HELP)
Jonathan McNicholes, Manager of Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, MHEC (Moderator)

2026 Executive Committee Meeting - Indianapolis
2026-06-08 - 2026-06-09 | Indianapolis, IN
The 2026 Executive Committee Meeting will be held in Indianapolis. Contact Katie Chock with any questions.

College Affordability Summit: FAFSA & Beyond
2026-06-09 - 2026-06-11 | Indianapolis, IN
The 2026 College Affordability Summit will bring together practitioners, policymakers, and postsecondary partners to strengthen financial aid efforts across the region. Amid shifting federal policy and evolving local challenges, this convening aims to share best practices, deepen cross-state collaboration, and clarify the roles and responsibilities of all actors in improving student access to financial aid.
Summit Goals

Equip state-level stakeholders to address emerging topics related to college affordability that advances states’ postsecondary attainment and workforce development goals.
Strengthen intra-state and cross-sector sharing of best practices on college and career attainment, cost transparency, financial aid policy, and FAFSA completion support.
Promote regional and national collaboration, with a particular focus on the Midwest, by highlighting organizations and initiatives advancing FAFSA completion and college affordability and by facilitating dialogue around the sharing of resources and effective practices across states.

2026 M-SARA Annual Meeting
2026-06-25 - 2026-06-26 | Big Ten Conference Center, 5440 Park Place, Rosemont, IL 60018
This in-person meeting will bring our Regional Steering Committee and State Portal Entities together for a full day and a half of timely updates, goal setting, and open conversations. Contact Sara Appel, director of M-SARA, with any questions.

South Dakota – 2026 Strategic and Innovation Grant Dinner
2026-07-06 - 2026-07-07
MHEC President Susan Heegaard will visit Brookings to bring together higher education and other state leaders to celebrate and discuss the South Dakota Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant. We are excited to be able to support the state of South Dakota in advancing high-demand health professional careers. We are grateful to Black Hills State University and South Dakota State University for leading this effort.
If you would like the opportunity to connect with MHEC staff while they’re in South Dakota, please contact Samra Asghedom, MHEC manager of external relations and strategic initiatives, to check availability at (612) 677-2764.

Midwest Workforce Pathways Convening
2026-09-23 18:00 - 2026-09-25 12:00 | Big Ten Conference Center, 5440 Park Place, Rosemont, IL 60018
This invitation-only, in-person symposium, hosted by MHEC in partnership with Complete College America (CCA) and Indigo Wave Consulting, LLC, will bring together cross-sector state teams from across the MHEC region to examine noncredit-to-credit policy and practice, identify priority areas for improvement, and develop actionable strategies to strengthen learner mobility and workforce alignment.
The convening is intentionally designed as part of a broader engagement process that includes pre-convening landscape analysis, virtual preparation sessions, cross-state peer collaboration, and sustained follow-up support. Importantly, each state team will have the flexibility to define its own priorities and action-planning agenda based on its unique policy landscape, workforce needs, and strategic goals.
For more information contact Carrie Wandler, Senior Director of Policy Initiatives.

2026 MHEC Regional Dialogue Lunch at EDUCAUSE
2026-09-30 11:00 - 13:00
The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) is excited to host a Midwest Regional Dialogue on the sidelines of EDUCAUSE 2026. This invitation-only event is designed to identify and discuss the foremost challenges and opportunities facing higher education technology leaders in the region. Insights from the Midwest Regional Dialogue will help inform upcoming engagement opportunities and initiatives being led by MHEC’s Technologies Community. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to connect with peer leaders from across the Midwest, as well as learn about MHEC’s work in furthering cost-savings opportunities and collaborative solutions.

2026 Annual Commission Meeting – Chicago
2026-11-16 - 2026-11-18 | Chicago, IL
More details to follow. Contact Katie Chock with any questions.
