Lubbers Unveils New Strategic Plan
Lubbers says the commission measures achievement campus-by-campus.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Commission for Higher Education has unveiled its fourth strategic plan. During her State of Higher Education address Tuesday, Commissioner Teresa Lubbers said the plan, Reaching Higher in a State of Change, provides the vision for the state to achieve its goal of having at least 60% of Hoosiers with quality credentials beyond a high school diploma by 2025.
Currently, 43% of Hoosiers have education and training past high school.
“We have outlined key strategies and policies… which are aggressive and essential to our success,” said Lubbers, who says the plan has four pillars: completion, equity, talent, measuring change.
Lubbers says the changing landscape of higher education and the demands of a new and changing economy require an expanded definition of “completion” and “higher education.”
She says postsecondary education includes not only two- and four-year college degrees, but all quality credentials from short-term certificates, apprenticeships and industry certifications.
In defining equity, Lubbers says “life’s circumstances or obstacles should not dictate a person’s opportunity to succeed.”
The ICHE has been focused on reducing and eliminating the state’s achievement gaps, resolving to cut those gaps in half by 2018 and close educational gaps by 2025.
The higher education commissioner says in order to unlock the state’s talent needs and develop and unleash Indiana’s potential.
“Indiana’s willingness to embrace this new higher education compact with a collective sense of urgency and optimism will determine our state’s readiness and prosperity for decades to come,” Lubbers said.
Lubbers says the commission is also committed to measure the state’s program, including educational attainment, career preparation and economic impact.
“We know that the Commission cannot meet these ambitious goals alone. We need strong partners inside state government and our institutions, along with employers and the philanthropic community,” Lubbers said.