Tracy Korsmo honored with Outstanding Service Award from Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Tracy Korsmo, enterprise architect for the Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) and business intelligence program manager for the North Dakota Information Technology, was acknowledged by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) as a recipient of their Outstanding Service Award on November 9, during the Compact’s Annual Commission Meeting, held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“Tracy has generously shared his knowledge and expertise in data systems to inspire and assist others working in these areas,” said Susan Heegaard, MHEC president. “He has made important connections with postsecondary education and workforce needs to better serve the needs of both North Dakota citizens and the broader Midwest region.”

Kormo was nominated for his contributions to MHEC’s Midwest Credential Transparency Alliance (MCTA). MCTA is a regional alliance focused on advancing credential transparency in service of learners, workers, educators, employers and policymakers across the Midwest. Credential transparency refers to making public, in formats people can read and systems can act upon, essential information about credentials, such as their competencies, quality, costs, pathways, transfer value, and connections to jobs.

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’m a big believer in the power of data transparency and access which can drive informed decision-making,” Korsmo explained. “I am honored and appreciate this recognition.”

Korsmo also serves on MHEC’s Comprehensive Learner Record Advisory Group, which is helping to address the need for a mechanism that identifies applied and experiential learning an approach that empowers learners with digital credentials they own, allowing them to appropriately align their learning with institutions and prospective employers.

North Dakota has actively contributed to the MCTA and has been supportive of others in efforts to publish credentials and pathways to the Credential Registry. The recognition of credentials through a competency framework helps learners clearly demonstrate their knowledge and skills to employers. A documented framework that contains transparent and agreed upon terminology of competencies helps make connections for students to jobs through linked data.