NCHEMS

A lot can happen in a year. Our inaugural annual report captures the impact behind the numbers and the people who make it possible.
See highlights from a year of evidence-driven projects across 13 states and explore the full report: tinyurl.com/bde7ajf3
#HigherEd #Strategy #Policy #AnnualReport

Why Cooperative Extension Belongs in Statewide Higher Education Strategy - NCHEMS Cooperative Extension is a noncredit service of land-grant universities, as well as some historically Black and tribal colleges and universities. It’s designed to reach people throughout each state wi...

Cooperative Extension is an overlooked asset in state higher education strategy. Our latest NCHEMS blog explores how stronger alignment can support attainment and workforce goals statewide.
Read more: tinyurl.com/mpdh8n8p
#HigherEd #Strategy #CooperativeExtension #RuralEducation #SHEEOs

States of Opportunity: Building Meaningful Connections Between the FAFSA and State Financial Aid - NCHEMS Photo by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library.  Imagine a high school senior in West Virginia, the first in her family to go to college, sitting at her computer trying to file the FAFSA on h...

Federal uncertainty shouldn’t put students’ aid at risk. With support from Strada Education Foundation, NCHEMS is launching a new project aimed at helping states strengthen and modernize their aid policies while keeping them student-centered. Learn more: tinyurl.com/3srwp72t
#HigherEd #FinancialAid

How States Fund Public Colleges and Universities - NCHEMS This blog was created in partnership with Education Commission of the States. We appreciate their collaboration on this resource and blog post.   Public colleges and universities rely heavily on state...

How states fund #HigherEd shapes access, affordability & performance. Our new blog, co-authored with Education Commission of the States unpacks the updated 50-State Comparsion: Postsecondary Funding and what it reveals about state priorities. Explore the blog: tinyurl.com/4bz2fkzh #Funding

Graphic with a photo of a college campus building overlaid with blue and text reading, "New Report. Resilient by Design: The Future of America's Community Colleges. Download Now." There is a logo for NCHEMS and the American Association of Community Colleges in the bottom right corner, side by side.

Community colleges are at a turning point. Our latest blog highlights a new NCHEMS report released by the American Association of Community Colleges, which lays out the urgent challenges ahead and how leaders can respond. Read the blog: tinyurl.com/2xdsun8y and then the report. #HigherEd

Graphic with text reading, "Welcome Nancy Stalowski, Senior Associate" with a headshot of Nancy — an Asian-American woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair, wearing black-framed glasses, small gold hoops, and a gray blazer over a navy shirt, smiling — to the left of the text. In the bottom right corner is NCHEMS logo.

We are excited to welcome the newest member of our team, Nancy Stalowski, Ed.D, as a senior associate! Check out our blog and learn why Nancy is an amazing addition to our team: tinyurl.com/57nej5z4 #HigherEd #NewNCHEMSStaff #NewHire

Graphic with different colored squares from the top left corner to the bottom left corner. In the center of the graphic is an icon of a laptop with text below reading, "SARA-participation institutions save an average of $202,051 each year."

NCHEMS collaborated with NC-SARA to support the research and data analysis of a newly updated report detailing the cost savings associated with SARA participation for colleges and universities. Explore the full report now: nc-sara.org/sara-cost-sa....
#HigherEd #HigherEdFunding #Funding #SARA

Photo of the NCHEMS Board of Directors and President (a group with two women and five men) in front of the University of North Texas Administration Building. The building has large columns in a Greek architecture style with the words "Administration Building" carved on the front.

Photo of the NCHEMS Board of Directors and President, with one of the Board members in the photos joining virtually on a Teams meeting. The group is smiling in front of a large monitor and in a meeting room.

Photo of the NCHEMS Board of Directors, President, and local higher education leaders sitting around a conference table set in a closed u-shape in a conference room.

Photo of the NCHEMS Board of Directors and President (made up of two women and three men) in front of the University of North Texas sign on a brick wall, with a large metal eagle as part of the sign, though partially obscured by the people.

Our Board of Directors and President met last week at the University of North Texas. Board Meetings are key to reflecting, planning, and advancing our mission. Many thanks to UNT for hosting us and welcoming our Board on campus. #HigherEd #NCHEMSOnTheMove #BoardMeeting #Strategy

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

ICYMI: Extension services are essential to rural workforce and economic development. Our report, Shaping Community Impact, looks at how funding and governance shape their contributions. Catch up here: tinyurl.com/47em5a2v #HigherEd #Extension #RuralFunding

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.

How do states fund higher education? The answer isn’t simple, but the data tells the story. In partnership with Education Commission of the States, we helped them update their 50-State Comparison on postsecondary education funding.
How does your state funding compare? tinyurl.com/n9see9jx #HigherEd

Photo of three women sitting at long table with a black tablecloth for a panel in a conference room. On the table is a banner for SHEEO.

Photo of NCHEMS team (left to right): Brian Prescott, Sarah Pingel, Artemio Cardenas, Louisa Hunkerstorm. They are in a building dressed professionally and are smiling.

Photo of four people sitting at a black table in a conference room for a panel. On the table is a banner for SHEEO.

NCHEMS showed up at @sheeoed.bsky.social’s 2025 Higher Ed Policy Conference! Our team participated in sessions on state funding (The Base Strikes Back) and balancing mission & money (Fiscal Responsibility & Mission). Always grateful to connect and share insights!

Looking for answers on higher ed trends? HigherEdInfo was built to give policymakers the data they need to make sound, evidence-based decisions. Explore what was featured, how it shifted, and request the state-level insights you want today: nchems.org/our-work/hig... #HigherEd

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...