Created in 1971 by an act of the General Assembly and signed into law by then Governor Edgar Whitcomb, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is a 14-member public body created to:

• Define the educational missions of public colleges and universities in the state.
• Plan and coordinate Indiana’s state-supported system of post-high school education, taking into account the plans and interests of independent colleges and universities.
• Review operating and capital budget appropriation requests from public colleges and universities.
• Approve or disapprove for public colleges and universities the establishment of any new branches, campuses, extension centers, colleges, or schools.
• Approve or disapprove for public colleges and universities the offering of any additional associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree or certificate program of two semesters or more in duration.
• Review all programs of study of public colleges and universities and make recommendations to the governing board of the institution, the Governor, and the General Assembly concerning the funding and the disposition of these programs.
• Administer student financial aid programs.
• Designate and employ the Commissioner for Higher Education.

The Commission is a coordinating agency that works closely with Indiana’s public and independent colleges. The Commission maintains working relationships with many other State agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Workforce Development, and the Independent Colleges of Indiana.

Examples of strategic initiatives that are closely related to the learn-and-work ecosystem:

• The state's Career and Technical Education (CTE) is housed at the Commission, which helps to connect industry, workforce development, and education. CTE staff assist with the development and implementation of CTE programs of study that prepare students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand careers. In 2022-23, Indiana launched new secondary CTE courses.  Called “Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS),” the initiative is improving the consistency, quality, and intentionality of CTE instruction across Indiana.
• The Commission is working with partners to repurpose the development of a statewide Credit for Prior Learning strategy.
• Through a partnership with the National Governors Association, the Commission is conducting a   demonstration project to provide support to the piloting of the Indiana Achievement Wallet, a digital wallet designed to assist with skill-based hiring.  The pilot includes Ivy Tech Community College, and Purdue Global. Partners include various state agencies, Western Governors University, Credential Engine, Parchment, and IQ4.
• Through a partnering with Reach University, the Commission is developing and piloting of Indiana’s digital wallet (Indiana Achievement Wallet) for credentials, with a focus on veterans and cybersecurity.  Through SHEEO, the pilot is informing other states of the work Indiana is doing.
• The Indiana Credential Registry is a partnering between the Commission and Credential Engine.

Resources

CHE: Agency Overview (in.gov)

Commission Member Handbook (comprehensive overview of the Commission and its initiatives - updated July 1, 2018).

CTE Career Guide