Virginia
When Dr. James Lane was appointed as Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2018, The Hunt Institute facilitated a series of meetings that produced broad consensus around guiding principles for his administration. The group formed to participate in these meetings, formally known as the Virginia is for Learners Advisory Committee, consisted of 28 members representing the education, business, government, and non-profit sectors. Members of the Committee discussed several top education priorities in the Commonwealth, including child care and early childhood education, college and career pathways, curriculum and instruction, and equity. Through these discussions, policy recommendations were formed that Dr. Lane would use to guide his work in the coming term. Those recommendations were captured in the Virginia is for Learners Advisory Committee Report, found below.
View the 2019 report:
Missouri
When Dr. Margie Vandeven was re-appointed as the Commissioner of Education in Missouri, The Hunt Institute held two stakeholder meetings to solicit buy-in for Dr. Vandeven’s policy priorities. With support from the Kauffman Foundation and the Education Commission of the States, the Committee was comprised of 33 leaders from across Missouri, representing a variety of interests, including the Governor’s office, legislature, the Secretary of State, teachers, principals, superintendents, parents, nonprofits, and business leaders. The goal of the Committee was to develop a set of priorities for the Commissioner as she began her tenure, as well as gain a collective voice from a variety of stakeholders. The Missouri Committee report was presented to the Missouri Board of Education in the fall of 2019, and can be found below.
View the 2019 report:
South Carolina
In fall 2019, The Hunt Institute partnered with Dr. Rusty Monhollon, the new President and Executive Director of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, to implement The Institute’s Committee model in order to support him as he transitioned into his new role. This led to the creation of the South Carolina Higher Education Advisory Committee (HEAC), which The Institute administered in partnership with Dr. Monhollon and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. Comprised of a diverse group of 34 stakeholders from across South Carolina, and led by former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges, the HEAC worked collaboratively to develop a set of recommendations that will build on the South Carolina Higher Education Public Agenda. A total of three HEAC meetings were held to discuss policy themes, identify actionable policy priorities and next steps, and build consensus among HEAC members.
View the 2020 report:
New Mexico
During the spring and summer of 2020, The Hunt Institute seated a Transition Committee designed to support the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (launched July 1, 2020) and its first-ever Secretary, Elizabeth Groginsky. Co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, both Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows, the 30-member Committee met four times and produced an 18-month action plan designed to support the Department’s early work under Secretary Groginsky.
View the 2020 Report:
Alabama
The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) Transition Committee was seated in October 2020 to support incoming Department Secretary, Dr. Barbara Cooper. Chaired by Governor Kay Ivey and Representative Terri Collins the group held its final meeting in January 2021.
Delaware
The Hunt Institute is currently providing support to the Delaware Department of Education’s Division of Early Childhood Support, into which the state’s child care licensing functions were recently consolidated, along with the creation of the state’s first Associate Secretary for Early Childhood Support position. The transition committee is being chaired by Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall Long and is meeting four times between March and June 2021.
New Jersey
The Hunt Institute partnered with New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, Dr. Brian K. Bridges, his staff, and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association to administer the New Jersey Higher Education Collaborative (HEC). Through a series of three in-person convenings in the summer and fall of 2021, the HEC provided a forum for key stakeholders to develop broad consensus around a number of strategies that will be used to advance the priorities established in New Jersey’s Higher Education State Plan. The HEC was composed of stakeholders from across the state including legislators, institution presidents, workforce leaders, and students, with the goal of representing the vast diversity of voices across New Jersey’s higher education landscape. The final report was released in March 2022 with key collaborative recommendations that included developing and scaling programs to meet the needs of all students, encouraging opportunity and innovation throughout the postsecondary system, and strengthening pathways to the workforce for all students. The proposed strategies and action plans resulting from HEC and its final report will build momentum for Dr. Bridges and his staff as they identify next steps and policy priorities for New Jersey in the coming years.
View the 2021 Report:
Rhode Island
The Hunt Institute teamed up with Rhode Island Postsecondary Commissioner, Dr. Shannon Gilkey, his office, and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association to create and administer the Rhode Island Higher Education Advisory Committee in the fall of 2021. This working group was composed of members from across the state including policymakers, postsecondary practitioners, state agency heads, community organization leaders, and students to produce a robust discussion on topics central to Rhode Island’s postsecondary environment. The Advisory Committee provided opportunities across three in-person meetings to develop broad consensus around a number of recommendations that could be used to create a multi-year higher education strategic plan for Rhode Island. The final report was published in December 2021 with recommendations centered around eliminating equity gaps, providing direct support for students, and removing structural policy barriers. Recommendations from the final report will be used to inform policies and initiatives for Commissioner Gilkey’s tenure.
View the 2021 Report:
