President Durden Appointed to Education Advisory Panel

February 7, 2012

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett today announced the formation of a panel to study how to make higher education accessible and affordable.

“To get that discussion started, I am creating a panel on post-secondary education to study our system and to make recommendations on how universities can best serve the students and citizens of this new century,’’ Corbett said.

One of the panel's main objectives is to develop a long-term strategy for higher education with regard to the changing and future demands of Pennsylvania's economy and jobs. The panel will be reviewing programs and policies in education to ensure educational options for students align with workforce needs.

Another goal is to examine how to make higher education affordable and available for students. The panel has been asked to identify key critical issues and to review current policies, procedures, regulations and legislation that impacts postsecondary education in Pennsylvania. In addition, the panel is to evaluate trends in education, including the role of technology and how higher education can increase collaboration with the private sector and government.

The panel will be led by Rob Wonderling, former state senator and the current president and chief executive officer of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

The panel includes leaders from nonprofit organizations, state government, businesses and public and private colleges and universities. In addition to Dickinson College President William G. Durden ’71, University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutman and University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg have been appointed to the panel.

Corbett asked the panel to submit its findings to him by Nov. 15.

Read the entire news release.