NCHEMS

This blog was co-authored by Vice President @sarah-pingel.bsky.social, @sarahancel.bsky.social of Student-Ready Strategies, and Andy Carlson of CollegeApp. #EducationPolicy #WorkforceDevelopment

Overlooked Opportunities in the Quest for Higher Education's "Low-Hanging Fruit" - NCHEMS This blog was co-authored by Sarah Ancel of Student-Ready Strategies, Sarah Pingel of NCHEMS, and Andy Carlson of CollegeAPP. Nearly two decades ago, states began setting educational attainment goals ...

For years, higher ed has focused on reengaging “some college, no degree” adults, leaving 60M with no college experience off the map. This is the untapped talent pool states can’t afford to ignore. Here’s why they matter & how to reach them: tinyurl.com/m6ttbdub #HigherEd #AdultLearners

50-State Comparison: Postsecondary Education Funding Public postsecondary institutions rely on state funding serving as one of the primary sources of funding for public two- and four-year institutions.

We partnered with Education Commission of the States on the update of the 50-State Comparison: Postsecondary Education Funding.It breaks down budget processes, funding models, and what drives allocations, giving essential insights for policy leaders. Read now: tinyurl.com/n9see9jx #HigherEd #Funding

Part III: Modeling Institutional Finances in Uncertain Conditions - NCHEMS This blog post is the last in a three-part series. You can read part I here and part II here.  How can institutions of higher education ensure financial stability in the face of uncertainty? The numbe...

Uncertainty is the only certainty. In Part III of our blog series, NCHEMS shares how institutions can use scenario modeling to make smarter financial decisions without guesswork.
Read now: tinyurl.com/5t39zsn
#HigherEd #HigherEdFinance #StategicPlanning

Part II: Measuring the Financial Impact of Academic Programs - NCHEMS In Part I of this blog series, we discussed the reasons why institutional, system, and state leaders are increasingly interested in understanding how individual academic programs fit into an instituti...

Part I looked at why academic program finances matter.
Part II explores how to measure their impact, with practical metrics from our work with South Dakota. Learn how to measure financial impact now: tinyurl.com/m9h4p332 #HigherEd #HigherEdFinances #InstitutionalFinances

Rural Communities Are Changing: So Too Must Land Grant Universities and Cooperative Extension Services Rural areas are experiencing increased in-migration and economic opportunities.Land-grant universities support rural workforce and community development through partnerships, applied research, and ...

Rural communities are evolving, so must the institutions designed to serve them. NCHEMS Vice President @sarah-pingel.bsky.social and Research Associate @artemiocardenas.bsky.social call for bold shifts in land grant universities & Extension in Change magazine.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Serving Rural America Through Land-Grant Colleges & Universities: Unlocking the Workforce Development Potential of Extension Services - NCHEMS

Did you know land-grant universities don’t all receive state match funding equally? Our recent study explores how refining funding structures can enhance Extension’s role in rural development. Check it out now: Read now: tinyurl.com/47em5a2v #HigherEd #CooperativeExtension #RuralDevelopment #Policy

Part I: How Academic Programs Fit into the Financial Puzzle - NCHEMS With declining enrollments and rising financial pressures, higher education leaders are being forced to make tough decisions around academic programs. Which should grow? Which can no longer be sustain...

Institutional leaders are rethinking how academic programs fit into financial strategy.
Part I of our new blog series offers insight for system and campus decision-makers. Check it out now: tinyurl.com/yhfcph3c #HigherEd #InstitutionFinances #ProgramFinances #HigherEdFinances

How do rural definitions align with public institutions?

Use our new interactive tool to explore which colleges are classified as “rural” across states and why it matters. Try it now: tinyurl.com/3nc3h7py #HigherEd #StateFunding #RuralFunding #RuralEducation #PolicyTools

Photo of a conference room with several people, a mix of older and younger adults, sitting at a long, U-shaped table. The focus of the photo is NCHEMS President Brian Prescott, who is talking on a panel with a large display screen behind him.

Photo of a conference room with several people, a mix of older and younger adults, sitting at a long, U-shaped table. The focus of the photo is NCHEMS Vice President Sarah Pingel, who is talking on a panel with a large display screen behind her.

NCHEMS President Brian Prescott and Vice President @sarah-pingel.bsky.social joined @ncslorg.bsky.social's Higher Ed Task Force on different panels to share insights on data-informed policy, student success and affordability. We're proud to support work enhancing the value of degrees. #HigherEd

ICYMI: We released a new brief and hosted a webinar on how funding models can better support rural-serving colleges. Don’t miss the chance to catch up on the insights and strategies shared by policy experts and researchers. Watch the webinar and read the brief here: tinyurl.com/2ud3evds
#HigherEd

Graphic with text reading, "NEW BRIEF RELEASED: Building a Rural Focus in State Higher Education Funding Approaches. Download Now." Beside the text is an illustration of two people with charts and coins behind them.

New from NCHEMS: Our latest brief explores how state funding models can better support rural-serving colleges. Learn how definitions of “rural” impact equity in higher ed finance. Read now: tinyurl.com/2ud3evds
#HigherEd #StateFunding #RuralFunding

Graphic with text reading, "New Webinar: Designing State Funding Models That Sustain Rural Colleges and Universities. June 18, 2025 | 11 a.m. MDT - Noon. Explore these topics during the webinar." Below this text is a word cloud with different colored words/phrases including: Regional Colleges, Enrollment, Affordability, Rurality, Funding Formulas, Strategize, State Funding, Access, and Support.

You won't want to miss our webinar starting today at 11 a.m. MDT! Join us to learn how definitions of rurality impact the state funding that regional and rural colleges receive. You'll also learn strategies policymakers can consider to redesign funding models. Register today: tinyurl.com/hme5ja2p.

Welcome! You are invited to join NCHEMS' webinar: Designing State Funding Models That Sustain Rural Colleges and Universities. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining th... Nearly half of the students pursuing bachelor's degrees are enrolled in regional colleges and universities. These institutions receive, on average, $1,091 less in state funding per full-time equivalen...

How we define “rural” matters — especially when it shapes state funding for regional colleges. Join our upcoming webinar on June 18 to explore how to better support rural-serving institutions. Register today: tinyurl.com/hme5ja2p #HigherEd #RuralEducation #StateFunding

We are so proud of the work of @sarah-pingel.bsky.social and @artemiocardenas.bsky.social new article in Change! Check out their article to and learn more about how rural communities are changing and how policymakers can support their needs!
Thanks for sharing, @tycmcnamee.bsky.social! #HigherEd

Graphic with semi-transparent blue cubes on the right side of the graphic over a dark blue background. The graphic has text reading: We're hiring! We're looking for a Senior Associate to join our amazing team! More information: www.nchems.org/about-us/job-opportunities.

We're hiring! Come join our team and help provide evidence-based data analysis for challenges facing postsecondary institutions, systems, and government. If you have a passion for #HigherEd, this might be the place for you! Apply by June 13: tinyurl.com/mu3kx2vw #Hiring #NonprofitHiring

What does “rural” really mean in higher ed — and why does it matter for state funding? Join our upcoming webinar June 18 exploring definitions of rurality and how funding strategies can better support regional institutions. Register today: tinyurl.com/hme5ja2p
#HigherEd #RuralEducation #Funding

Graphic on a blue background with semi-transparent cubes on the right side, with text reading: "We're hiring! We're looking for a Senior Associate to join our amazing team! More information: nchems.org/about-us/job-opportunities.

Are you passionate about higher education’s role in expanding opportunities? Do you want to support a nonprofit that provides evidence-based strategies to improve decision-making? NCHEMS is hiring a Senior Associate, and you might be who we’re looking for. Apply here: nchems.org/about-us/job...

Graphic with text announcing a new release, titled “Shaping Community Impact: The Role of Funding and Governance in Extension's Contributions to Rural Economic and Workforce Development.” Under the title is a button reading, “Download Now,” next to a circular photo of a table with a megaphone, computer, and other work materials. The photo matches the study cover.

Extension’s community-rooted, evidence-based model is key to rural resilience — but funding and structure often hold it back. Check out our new study and see what can be done to unlock its potential from Extension leaders: tinyurl.com/47em5a2v #HigherEd #RuralExtension

Graphic with text: New Webinar - Designing State Funding Models That Sustain Rural Colleges and Universities. Delve into definitions of rurality and learn how state formulas can support rural colleges and universities. June 18, 2025 | 11 a.m. - Noon MDTUnder the text, shows three headshots of the speakers and moderator for the webinar: Brian Sponsler, Sova Solutions (Moderator); Artemio Cardenas, Ph.D., NCHEMS; Jasmine D. Collins, Ph.D., Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative.

Regional colleges serve nearly half of bachelor's students but often receive less state funding. Join us June 18 for a policy-focused webinar defining rurality + designing better funding models. Register: tinyurl.com/hme5ja2p
#HigherEd #StateFunding #RuralEducation

Financial-Programmatic Analysis and Stress Testing for SDBOR Institutions - NCHEMS

We were honored to collaborate with the South Dakota Board of Regents for a recent project, where we provided financial and programmatic analysis. Learn more about this important work: tinyurl.com/yrv4yhv2. #HigherEd #FinancialHealth

Shoutout to NCHEMS VP @sarah-pingel.bsky.social for presenting at #RuralSummit25! Thanks to the organizers for spotlighting how Extension services can unlock new community, economic, and workforce opportunities for rural America. #HigherEd #RuralDevelopment

Photo of a group of four people sitting at a table in a restaurant.

Photo of a group of eight people at a table in a restaurant smiling.

Photo of a group of four people working outside at a table in discussion.

Photo a group of people sitting at a desk, working together and another group can be seen in the background.

Thanks to our working groups, LS Consultants & Ravioli Strategies for an inspiring week in Boulder! Your insights are helping shape the future of rural development through cooperative extension. #HigherEd #CooperativeExtension #RuralDevelopment

NCHEMS and Ascendium Partner to Strengthen Rural Development Through Cooperative Extension - NCHEMS Across the country, Cooperative Extension plays a vital role in supporting rural communities — providing resources on agriculture, small business development, education, and more. As the largest provi...

2/2) Southern Rural Development Center housed at @msstate.bsky.social, and the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services!
Learn more about their projects and the organizations leading these efforts in our latest blog: tinyurl.com/y94dkpab

#HigherEd #CooperativeExtension

Announcement featuring educational and development organizations partnered with NCHEMS, highlighting specific projects and leads. Transcribed Text: Congratulations! Projects and Organizations Selected for Partnership with NCHEMS COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Economic Achievement for Rural Native Students Project Lead: Eric Ishiwata, Ph.D. THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE Cooperative Extension University of Maine Extension Micro-Badge Opportunities for Workforce Development Project Lead: Hannah Carter, Ph.D. Extension University of Missouri State of Missouri Workforce Summit Project Lead: Sarah Traub, Ed.D. SRDC Southern Rural Development Center National Extension Community Development Foundations of Practice Project Lead: Grace Langford Center for Industrial Services INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE Tennessee Workforce Development Collaboration Project Lead: Kim Denton

1/2) NCHEMS is excited to announce our four new partnerships as part of our ongoing work supporting Cooperative Extension and rural communities. Congratulations to Colorado State University Office of Engagement and Extension, University of Missouri Extension, University of Maine Extension,

Great to see you, Commissioner Ben Boggs of MO Dept. of Higher Education and Workforce Development, President Avis Proctor of Harper College, and President Tracy Hartzler of Central New Mexico Community College! #HigherEd #AACC2025

Photo of a group of four people, two men and two women, in front of a window in a skyrise, with the city behind them. The photo features (left to right) Commissioner Ben Boggs of MO Dept. of Higher Education and Workforce Development; President Avis Proctor of Harper College; NCHEMS President Brian Prescott; and President Tracy Hartzler of Central New Mexico Community College.

NCHEMS President Brian Prescott had exciting conversations with postsecondary leaders at #AACC2025 this weekend! We're proud to collaborate on work shaping the future of community colleges and grateful for the partnership.

Photo from the Celebrating and Accelerating Attainment 2025 & Beyond conference with a stage where five individuals are seated in a panel discussion. The room has a banner with the conference title and logo behind the stage, with each panelist sitting on a blue chair and attendees visible in the foreground.

This week at the Celebrating and Accelerating Attainment 2025 & Beyond conference, NCHEMS board members Harrison Keller of the University of North Texas and @drchuckwelch.bsky.social of @aascu.org joined a panel on navigating challenges and finding common ground. Congrats on a great panel! #HigherEd

Community College Journal - Agile strategic planning for higher education No one needs to tell America’s community college leaders that we are working in a time of rapid and transformational change. The evidence is on our phones

NCHEMS is excited to partner with the American Association of Community Colleges to explore the evolving role of community colleges in #highered. Our latest project is featured in the Community College Journal. Check it out to learn more about our work: tinyurl.com/3e87u233
#CommunityColleges

At NCHEMS, our employees are at the heart of everything we do and make our work possible. As we celebrate Employee Appreciation Day, we recognize our incredible team. Thanks for all the work you do to make NCHEMS successful! #EmployeeAppreciationDay #HigherEd #EmployeeRecognition