Midwestern Higher Education Compact Names Susan Heegaard as Next President

Minneapolis, Minn. – September 5, 2018 – The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) announced today that they have named Susan Heegaard as the president-elect. Heegaard brings to MHEC extensive experience in leading a higher education agency. In her current work, as a senior consultant for HCM Strategists and the Lumina Foundation Strategy Labs, she is closely engaged in work with many of MHEC’s member states, demonstrating her commitment to the Midwest.

Heegaard represented Minnesota, serving on MHEC’s commission as a commissioner alternate from February 2004 to March 2009, during her time as commissioner/director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

“I’m thrilled to have this wonderful opportunity and have great respect for the compact and the 12 states it serves,” she said. Heegaard who will begin with MHEC on November 1, will replace Larry Isaak who has served as president since 2003. “I’m honored to continue to build upon the work that Larry, the MHEC staff, and its commissioners have established.”

Heegaard added, “This is an important time for MHEC and the Midwest as we face a period of great opportunity, change, and challenge for postsecondary education in our country.”

Prior to her work with HCM Strategists and Lumina Foundation Strategy Labs, Heegaard was also a vice president and education team leader for The Bush Foundation. She’s guided policy under two governors, and worked for the Minnesota Private College Council, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and Office of Minnesota Planning, as well as worked for a former U.S. senator.
 
"Susan brings a wealth of diverse experiences to the position including strong philanthropic, communication, government and systems experience at the local, state, and federal levels,” stated Tim Flakoll, North Dakota commissioner and current MHEC chair. Flakoll who chaired the MHEC Presidential Search Committee added, “She has worked effectively with executive and legislative branches of government, republicans and democrats, system and institutional leaders, governing boards as well as community and business leaders."

Heegaard holds a law degree from Mitchell Hamline College of Law, and a bachelor’s in economics and government from Skidmore College.  

About MHEC
Legislatively created, the Midwestern Higher Education Compact’s purpose is to provide greater higher education opportunities and services in the Midwestern region. Collectively, MHEC creates solutions that build higher education’s capacity to better serve individuals, institutions, and states by leveraging the region’s resources, expertise, ideas, and experiences through multi-state: Convening, Programs, Research, and Contracts. Member states are: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. www.mhec.org

Contact
Mary Roberson
MHEC Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
maryr@mhec.org
(612) 677-2765 direct | (612) 805-3396 cell

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