Forum examines postsecondary education policies

The effect of federal policies on postsecondary education and the factors influencing how students complete their college degrees will be the subject of a forum Oct. 8-9 at UW–Madison.

The program will feature Terry W. Hartle, senior vice president for government and public affairs, American Council on Education, and Alberto F. Cabrera, professor in the Department of Education Policy Studies and senior research associate of the Center for the Study of Higher Education at Penn State. The free public forum is sponsored by the Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education.

A higher education lobbyist in Washington D.C, Hartle has represented the interests of more than 1,800 colleges and universities, including public and private research universities, comprehensive four-year universities, liberal arts colleges and two-year colleges. Hartle develops strategies to influence federal policy with the legislative and executive branches of government, as well as media coverage on student aid, scientific research, diversity and tax policy.

Hartle will share his perspectives on how the Bush administration influences postsecondary education policy-making in a presentation Monday, Oct. 8, 3:30-5 p.m., 4151 Grainger Hall.

On Tuesday, Oct. 9, 8:30-10 a.m., at the Pyle Center, Hartle will join a panel of student financial aid experts to explore federal aid policies and the challenges these policies present for colleges and universities. Panelists include Kristin Hendrickson, budget and planning analyst, UW System; Jane Hoyan-Clark, executive secretary, Wisconsin Higher Education Aids Board; Deborah Mahaffey, assistant state director, Wisconsin Technical College System; and Rolf Wegenke, president, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

The analysis of postsecondary education continues when Cabrera explores the different pathways students take toward degree completion and the factors that facilitate college student persistence, including academic resources, college choice, financial aid and the collegiate experience. Cabrera is a national expert on pathways to college, access to higher education, retention and degree completion. A panel will raise questions and present differing viewpoints.

Cabrera’s presentation and the related panel discussion is 10:30 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Oct. 9, in the Pyle Center. The panelists include Ed Clarke, vice president for instructional services, Madison Area Technical College; Jerlando F.L. Jackson, assistant professor, Department of Educational Administration, UW–Madison; and Deborah Mahaffey, assistant state director, Wisconsin Technical College System.

For information, call (608) 265-6342.