State Authorization Learning Community

The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association Learning Community Project is designed to help nine state teams evaluate and strengthen their authorization processes to protect students better and improve quality in higher education. This multifaceted project builds on the recommendations provided in a recent SHEEO white paper and provides a forum for states to work on solutions to common issues with state authorization.

With support from Lumina Foundation, the following nine state agencies will work with SHEEO over the next 18 months to elevate state authorization as a core quality assurance and student protection function.

  • Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
  • Colorado Department of Higher Education
  • Iowa College Student Aid Commission
  • Minnesota Office of Higher Education
  • New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
  • Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
  • Pennsylvania Department of Education
  • South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
  • Washington Student Achievement Council

Through webinars, site visits, in-person convenings, blog posts, and peer learning, states will address common challenges, such as assessing the financial health of institutions, improving consumer protections, managing school closures, building agency capacity, and developing digital application and renewal platforms.

Webinars
Learning Community Medium Posts
  • Kuhn, L. (2020). The Virtual Visit. State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.
  • Williams, L. (2020). How Do We Protect Online College Students as Consumers?
  • Dowd, C. & Poulin, R. (2020). State Authorization and Crossing State Borders, Part 2: Additional Approvals and Professional Licensure.
  • Dowd, C. & Poulin, R. (2020). State Authorization and Crossing State Borders, Part 1: Institutional Approvals for Out-of-State Activities. State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.
  • Predatory Colleges In the COVID Economy: What Is a State Regulator To Do?State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.
  • Contreras, A. (2020). Bad actors vs. poor actors: Why it matters in state authorization of higher education. State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.
  • Kelchen, R. (2020). Connecting state authorization with higher education accountability. State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.

    • Contact:
    David Tandberg, vice president of policy research and strategic initiatives
    Dustin Weeden, senior policy analyst