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BHEF Achieves Significant Progress In Helping to Reshape U.S. Education Agenda
Advances major organizational goals related to college readiness and success, STEM education.
Contact: Pamela Lessard 202-367-1284, Alex Sittig 202-367-2393
Washington, DC (July 20, 2010) — At its recent semi-annual meeting, members of the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) agreed to launch “next phase” projects that capitalize on the significant progress made in its two major initiatives—the Securing America’s Leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative, and the College Readiness, Access, and Success Initiative (CRI).
“We expect to leverage the momentum and insights we have gained in the past year to deepen the work in our initiatives, enhance BHEF’s impact, and provide fresh new opportunities for members’ engagement,” says BHEF Executive Director Brian K. Fitzgerald.
BHEF’s recent successes include:
- The May 13 signing of the Louisville Education Commitment by 25 business, education, political, and community leaders aimed at significantly improving degree attainment in that region. BHEF is advancing similar member-led efforts in other communities.
- Receiving a $417,500 follow-on grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which brought total Gates funding over the past two years to more than $1.3 million; receiving a $100,000 grant from the Northrop Grumman Corporation to help expand its U.S. STEM Education Model; and receiving a $50,000 grant from USA Funds to further the CRI.
- Advancing its STEM Education & Modeling Project, with the development of a Web-based user interface for the BHEF U.S. STEM Education Model and new methodologies for building state and community-college focused models. A recent Fortune Magazine article about STEM education noted BHEF’s work in this area; additionally, BHEF published a white paper that documents key modeling insights to date.
To build on these successes, BHEF plans to launch “next phase” projects, including a STEM higher education success project led by BHEF members and a STEM industry workforce model. It also will share its methodologies for building and using state and community college-focused models with policymakers, educators and funders.
In addition, BHEF will leverage its work in Louisville by assisting other regions in adapting the Louisville model and by promoting BHEF’s comprehensive online tool, StrategicEdSolutions®.
BHEF’s next semi-annual meeting will be hosted by BHEF member Lew Hay, III, chairman and CEO of NextEraEnergy, February 3-4, in Juno Beach, FL.
About the Business-Higher Education Forum
BHEF brings together a coalition of corporate, academic, and foundation chief executives who provide leadership to improve U.S education and competitiveness. Learn more at www.bhef.com.
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