Olivia Madison Recognized as Outgoing Chair of Midwestern Higher Education Compact

MINNEAPOLIS, MN and AMES, IA – Olivia Madison of Ames was recognized for her leadership and contributions as commission chair of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) at its Annual Commission Meeting held virtually on November 9. Serving as the meeting chair was her last official duty, and she now serves as the MHEC past chair.

One of four regional higher education compacts in the United States, MHEC brings together midwestern states to develop and support best practices, collaborative efforts, and cost-sharing opportunities. Through these efforts it works to ensure strong, equitable postsecondary educational opportunities and outcomes for all.

“I am heartened by the continued strength of our membership within our states. This is critically important as we collectively look to support and promote higher education in our individual states and our entire 12-state region,” said Madison in her closing meeting remarks. “I remain in awe of the breadth and impact of MHEC’s many beneficial programs and contracts that support efficient and financially beneficial student access to higher education, and cost savings for our states and their higher education institutions.”

Since 2011, as the governor’s designee, Madison has served as one of five Iowa commissioners. She was initially appointed by Governor Terry Branstad and later Governor Kim Reynolds. Within MHEC, she has also served as the elected treasurer and vice chair as well as chair or member of a variety of key committees. She represents Iowa as a long-standing member of MHEC’s Executive Committee. Madison is professor emerita and dean emerita of library services at Iowa State University.

“Olivia has been a devoted advocate for the Compact this past year, leading during a difficult time for all,” said Susan Heegaard, MHEC president. “She has deep commitment to MHEC and passion for higher education. On behalf of the compact, I’m grateful for her service this past year.”

MHEC’s states are synonymous with the Midwest census region states, and Iowa has been a member since 2005. In addition to Ms. Madison, current Iowa MHEC Commissioners are Nancy Boettger, regent for the Board of Regents, State of Iowa; Derrick Franck, board member for the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees; Joe Mitchell, state representative and member of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee; and Herman Quirmbach, state senator and ranking member of the Education Committee. Serving as Iowa Commissioner Alternates are Andrew Baumert, vice president for marketing and outreach at the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; Todd Brown, division administrator for the Financial Aid Program Administration at the Iowa College Student Aid Commission; and Timothy Fitzgibbon, senior vice president at the First National Bank; Carrie Koelker, state senator and member of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee; and Sharon Steckman, state representative and member of the Education Committee.
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ABOUT MHEC
VISION: MHEC members collaborate to address the region’s most pressing challenges in higher education and transform educational opportunities so that people and communities thrive.
MISSION: MHEC brings together midwestern states to develop and support best practices, collaborative efforts, and cost-sharing opportunities. Through these efforts it works to ensure strong, equitable postsecondary educational opportunities and outcomes.
HOW MHEC WORKS: MHEC’s strategic approach highlights member states’ strong desire for collaboration, effectiveness, and efficiency. MHEC believes that collaborative actions informed by research and best practices are the catalyst for improving quality, accessibility, relevance, and affordability of postsecondary educational opportunities. MHEC does this primarily through the following approaches: convenings, programs, research, and cost-savings contracts. Increasingly, MHEC looks to leverage these approaches in conjunction with each other to serve its strategic priorities.
MEMBER STATES: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. www.mhec.org