BHEF is an organization of Fortune 500 CEOs, prominent college and university presidents, and foundation leaders working to advance innovative solutions to our nation's education challenges in order to enhance U.S. competitiveness.
BHEF In the News
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Invests in BHEF Initiatives—Read more...
BHEF Addresses Globalization and U.S. Education Issues
BHEF's Summer 2008 Member Meeting, held June 19-20 in Washington, DC, focused on the issue of the globalization—specifically of higher education, and science and innovation. Learn more about the event here.
BHEF Hosts First STEM Research & Modeling Network Meeting
On June 19 BHEF hosted the inaugural STEM Research & Modeling Network meeting. More than 40 attendees discussed how to advance a prototype model that can simulate the impact of proposed policy interventions on the number of STEM-interested and capable students. To read more about the project, click here.
For other recent news and events, see News.
Diversity (2002)
The Forum created the Diversity Initiative to educate the public about the need to achieve diversity on college and university campuses and in the workforce. The initiative sought to highlight the benefits diversity brings to the educational system for every student, as well as to U.S. economic competitiveness, and ultimately to all Americans.
William E. Kirwan, II, former President of the Ohio State University (current Chancellor, University System of Maryland), and Stephen Butler, former Chairman and CEO of KPMG LLP, co-chaired the initiative.
A report addressing diversity at institutions of higher education and in the workforce was released in January 2002. The report, Investing in People: Developing All of America's Talent on Campus and in the Workplace (PDF - 334 KB), surveyed the dynamic landscape of diversity within the corporate and academic environments, and presented the Forum's agenda for preparing all those in the United States to contribute to the global economy. The report also highlights then-existing models of innovative, promising practices that institutions in both sectors can replicate. Together, these demonstrate the benefits to be gained from diversity on our campuses and in our workplaces.