News Release
March 23, 2005
Women in Government Launches Higher Education Policy Research Center
WASHINGTON — Women In Government — representing state-level women elected officials — today announced the launch of its Higher Education Policy Research Center, supported by a grant from Lumina Foundation for Education. As college tuition becomes increasingly unaffordable for families, the Research Center will serve as a clearinghouse for the organization's efforts to help states provide all students — particularly minorities and women — with access to higher education. Since the creation of its Access to Higher Education Task Force in 2003, Women In Government's legislative members have introduced legislation addressing higher education access issues in seven states."States can play a significant role in providing women and minorities with access to higher education," said Susan Crosby, Women In Government's executive director. "Our members have identified the need for a centralized structure to connect state legislators to the myriad policy resources they need to advance this issue in their states."
The Higher Education Policy Research Center will provide state legislators with educational materials, a legislative tool kit, model programs, a quarterly newsletter and other resources. Policy makers can access the Research Center at the Women In Government Web site at http://www.womeningovernment.org, by e-mail at highered@womeningovernment.org or by calling 202-333-0825.
The Research Center evolved out of the efforts of Women In Government's Access to Higher Education Task Force. "With college tuition increasingly unaffordable, minorities and women particularly risk losing workplace opportunities -- and the resulting independence and financial success -- that a higher education provides. We believe that, through legislative programs and initiatives, states can ensure that structural changes are made to support higher education, particularly for minorities and women," said Ms. Crosby.
A recent report by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher
Education concluded that most states have failed to keep college affordable for most families. Almost all states have cut higher education appropriations recently and, with most states facing budget shortfalls, this trend is poised to continue. However, research shows that people with college degrees earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma and that more jobs are requiring a college degree.
Women In Government is a national, 501(c)(3), non-profit, bi-partisan organization of women state legislators providing leadership opportunities, networking, expert forums and educational resources to address and resolve complex public policy issues.
About Lumina Foundation
Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis-based, private,
independent foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school. Through grants for research, innovation, communication, and evaluation, as well as policy education and leadership development, Lumina Foundation addresses issues that affect access and educational attainment among all students, particularly underserved student groups, including adult learners. The Foundation bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals can make in themselves and that society can make in its people.
