Message from Our Founder

Since its founding in 1993, IHEP has been a leading voice in higher education on issues ranging from financing policy to minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to technology-based learning. The organization has distinguished itself for the quality research products and programs, independent perspective, and forward-looking policy work.

IHEP’s impact has included federal, state, institutional, and international policy development, and through its work in support of the groundbreaking Alliance for Equity in Higher Education, the organization has a major influence on capacity building for MSIs. IHEP's reputation as an independent, nonpartisan organization has allowed it to achieve a high level of success while avoiding being perceived as representing the perspective of a particular funding partner, political ideology, or group of institutions. Additionally, the deliberate focus of its work continuously reaps benefits for all those who want to reach their full potential by participating and succeeding in postsecondary education around the world.

Throughout its history, IHEP has engaged a diverse audience. The organization’s approach is to produce information that will be useful to a variety of stakeholders who make or inform decisions in postsecondary education, including policymakers, researchers, college presidents, faculty, students, and families. Through its Web site, IHEP offers access to the full repertoire of its reports—easy-to-read, comprehensive, and often at the cutting edge in terms of the issues it addresses and the perspectives it takes. At IHEP, the staff believes that investing in those who might not otherwise go to college, and ensuring accountability to the students it serves, are not just nice goals to pursue. They are necessary components of a national workforce investment strategy that can lead greater prosperity, security, and harmony for all citizens. On behalf of the IHEP staff, we hope you find the information on the IHEP Web site as being a valuable resource, and we hope you will return again to learn more about the constantly changing and evolving landscape of higher education policy.

Best,

Signature

Jamie P. Merisotis
Founder, Institute for Higher Education Policy
President and Chief Executive Officer, Lumina Foundation for Education