2024 Biennial Report - Original-Language Feature Marker 2024 - Overview of accomplishments during 2023 and 2024

Oct 15, 2026

2024 Biennial Report covering calendar years 2023 and 2024 summarizes the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education’s accomplishments and responsibilities for Nebraska’s higher education system. It details the Commission’s governing structure, staff roles, and core duties including statewide comprehensive planning, program approval, financial aid administration, data analysis, and oversight of capital construction and biennial budget requests. It also describes the Comprehensive Statewide Plan’s constitutional and statutory basis, including facility planning and policy guidelines.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction—What is the Coordinating Commission?

Comprehensive Statewide Plan for Postsecondary Education

Financial Aid

Reports and Analysis

Academic Programs

New or Out-of-State Institutions

Capital Construction and Facilities

Budget Reviews and Recommendations

Initiatives, Programs, and Updates

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2024 BIENNIAL REPORT
Covering Calendar Years 2023 and 2024 | | --- | --- | | | utive Committee approval November 21 , 2024 ratified by the Commission December 13, 2024 | | | | COMMISSIONERS Dr. Paul Von Behren, Chair Fremont , District 3 Tim Daniels, Vice Chair Omaha, Member-at-Large Dr. Dennis Headrick Lincoln, District 1 Dr. Deborah Frison Omaha, District 2 Tamara Weber Columbus, District 5 Molly O’Holleran North Platte, District 6 Mary Lauritzen West Point, Member-at-Large W. Scott Wilson Plattsmouth, Member-at-Large Dannika Nelson Oakland, Member-at-Large Dr. LeDonna Griffin Omaha, Member-at-Large STAFF Dr. Mike Baumgartner Executive Director Dr. Kathleen Fimple Academic Programs Officer Jill Heese Research Director Kadi Lukesh Office Manager, Budget Coordinator, Bookkeeper Ritchie Morrow Financial Aid Officer Helen Pope Executive Assistant Matthew Roque Capital Project and Financial Analyst Celeste Thompson ETA Specialist Gary Timm Chief Finance and Administrative Officer Joe Velasquez Database Manager This report and others are available at the Coordinating Commission’s website: [ccpe.nebraska.gov/reports](ccpe.nebraska.gov/reports) Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education—2024 Biennial Report Table of Contents Introduction—What is the Coordinating Commission? Page 4 Comprehensive Statewide Plan for Postsecondary Education Page 5 Financial Aid Page 6 Reports and Analysis Page 11 Academic Programs Page 15 New or Out-of-State Institutions Page 16 Capital Construction and Facilities Page 18 Budget Reviews and Recommendations Page 19 Initiatives, Programs, and Updates Page 20 2024 Biennial Report Provided pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 85-1412 (9) In 1990, Nebraskans saw a need for an independent entity to coordinate the state’s public higher education institutions from a statewide—rather than an institutional—perspective. To accomplish this, voters amended the state Constitution, creating the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education [Article VIII-14] . The Coordinating Commission is an independent agency with a governing board of Commissioners who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature. There are ten employees on the Commission’s staff, making it one of the smallest agencies of its kind in the country. The 2024 Biennial Report provides an overview of the Coordinating Commission’s accomplishments during 2023 and 2024. | THE COORDINATING COMMISSION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR: | | | --- | --- | | • Creating and putting into action a comprehensive statewide plan to guide Nebraska’s higher education system. | • Approving or disapproving academic programs based on specific criteria: need, demand, unnecessary duplication, resources, and cost. | | • Partnering with Legislators to develop innovative and results-driven higher education policy. | • Assembling and analyzing statewide data and publishing reports tied to the state’s higher education goals. | | • Helping low-income Nebraska students attend college by awarding over $26 million in needbased financial aid annually. | • Administering roughly $367 million in annual state appropriations to Nebraska’s six community colleges. | | • Administering the Community College Gap Assistance Program, which offers financial aid to students in high-need fields. | • Authorizing the operation of out-of-state and new Nebraska postsecondary institutions. | | • Administering the Excellence in Teaching Act, the Nebraska Career Scholarships for community colleges and independent institutions, and the Door to College Scholarship. | • Saving Nebraska colleges and universities thousands of dollars through administration of a nationwide distance learning agreement. | | • Ensuring the efficient use of taxpayer funds by approving or disapproving postsecondary construction projects that rely on tax funds and rev

FAQs

What does the Coordinating Commission do according to the report?

The report lists responsibilities such as creating a comprehensive statewide plan, approving or disapproving academic programs, analyzing statewide data, and publishing reports tied to higher education goals. It also includes administering financial aid and overseeing capital construction and biennial budget requests.

How is the Comprehensive Statewide Plan for postsecondary education established?

The plan is authorized by the Nebraska Constitution, which requires it to include definitions of roles and missions of public postsecondary institutions and facility plans using designated tax funds. Statute further elaborates purposes and requires an assessment of statewide needs and policy guidelines.

What periods does the 2024 Biennial Report cover and summarize?

The report covers calendar years 2023 and 2024 and provides an overview of the Commission’s accomplishments during that period.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Taylor Morgan