It’s Time to Innovate, Iowa!

I recently attended a leadership conference where I had the opportunity to meet Geoff Wood, a young IT entrepreneur from Iowa.  It was his presentation that reaffirmed to me how young professionals from Iowa are incredibly zealous, creative, and intellectual.  Another example of an up-and-coming Iowan is Ben Silbermann, the co founder of Pinterest, which is the next Facebook of social media.  And from the University of Iowa, Renugan Raidoo was one of only 32 Rhodes Scholar awardees in the nation in 2011.  For comparison, Bill Clinton was also a Rhodes Scholar.  Only a very few people are granted this experience.

Iowa students are making positive changes in their lives and the lives of others every day by investing in their communities and exercising their passions.  A group of students from the University of Iowa founded and currently run a mobile clinic that provides free medical care to vulnerable populations.  I wonder if they were inspired by fellow Iowan, the late Norman Borlaug.  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his contributions to world peace through increasing food supply.  He is credited with saving over a billion people worldwide from starvation.

These examples demonstrate how getting involved and nurturing your passion can have far-reaching effects.  What started as shapeless ideas, through dedication and perseverance, became real solutions that not only help others in need, but build resumes and jump start careers.  Your commitment, your tenacity, and most importantly, your passion is needed to keep Iowa innovative.  Let’s put Iowa’s good name to work!

Harvesting Education in Iowa

I was fortunate enough to spend this Thanksgiving holiday with my family.  As I began to write, I reflected on the influence my family has had on my education.  Time with them helped me to see that a key point is missing from the public debate on the price of education – the purpose of an education is to cultivate Iowa’s future.  As any farmer will tell you, in order to produce a product that yields a livable return, significant time, money, work, and sacrifice are required. Education is no different.

As Iowans, we should capitalize on our state’s ability to provide a quality education in a state where a good quality of life is affordable, Midwestern values of family and hard work are still deeply ingrained, and a neighbor is still a neighbor, not a stranger. However, without the proper investment, Iowa may lose these coveted values and a better life may no longer be achievable in the future.  

If a serious debate is to be had on the cost of education, then a serious reconsideration of how we view students is due. As the baby boomer generation retires, the country will experience a new generation of leaders. While we are students today, tomorrow we will be your physician, electrician, nurse, mechanic, lawyer, governor, social worker, teacher, psychiatrist, engineer, or one day, your caregiver.

So let’s harvest the skills, talents, and magnanimous minds of students statewide! We can do this as a state by planting the seed of opportunity for all students with a financial investment in our schools and working to ensure that as our children grow they continue to receive the support they need, both academically and financially, to be successful and become the leaders of tomorrow.

That is harvesting.  That is Iowa.

I have had the opportunity to receive a quality education and through a significant amount of time, money, work, and sacrifice, my time for harvest is quickly approaching.  It is my hope that we, as a state, can find a way to invest in our students and cultivate a bright future for Iowa.

How do you think we should sow the seeds of a bright tomorrow in Iowa?

Why Is College So Expensive?

Why is college so expensive?  This perplexing, aggravating and sometimes controversial question is not only on my mind, but is of top concern for many Iowa students and their families.  If you’ve read anything on the topic of college costs recently, you’ll know that there are several schools of thought about the rising cost of education.

National Public Radio (NPR) recently asked that same question, Why Is College So Expensive? and several experts offered their opinions on the subject.

According to Sandy Baum, a professor at George Washington University, as state budgets shrink, the amount they subsidize for education at public colleges and universities also decreases, resulting in students paying a greater share of the costs. 

Richard Vedder, who runs the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, believes it is a simple issue of supply and demand. He believes tuition rates would be lowered if federal aid was capped and fewer students could afford the exorbitant tuition. 

Terry Hartle of the American Council on Education say the rising cost of college is connected to student demand for esteemed faculty who are proven leaders in their field.  This “paying for talent” theory speculates that colleges must shell out big bucks in salaries, and rising health insurance and benefits, to recruit the top professors and that these costs are passed along to students in the form of tuition increases.

Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education believes that the problem is because grant aid hasn’t risen fast enough.  Today, a Federal Pell Grant only covers about 1/3 tuition and fees at a public 4-year college; in the 1970’s it covered close to 80%. 

As a college student myself, I have some concerns with these theories.  Should we as students be willing to accept less qualified faculty, tackle the inherited economic recession on our own, or put the price of college out of reach for more students in hopes a decreased supply of students will ultimately drive costs down to an affordable amount?   

What do you believe is the cause of rising costs?  What’s the solution?  If you had the power to change higher education, single-handedly, what would you do to fix the problem?

A Public Debate

The cost of higher education has become a public matter regardless of whether you are attending a public or private institution.  What was once considered an individual dilemma with debt has now become a public debate.

In recent months, the debate about the cost of education and increasing student loan debt have grabbed headlines and been the source of much discussion in our legislative bodies, as well as on college campuses.

Yet, for those seeking jobs while enrolled or those on the brink of graduation, the job market is equally intimidating. My response to the editorial ‘Student debt issues require compromise’ in the Iowa State Daily on September 21st, 2011 is: you’re right. Students are spending countless hours and counted dollars qualifying themselves to be global competitors. And while we are pushed by our parents, employers, and state to educate ourselves, the hope is that there will be equal effort by entrepreneurs and elected leaders to provide employment opportunities during and post graduation.

According the U.S. News and World Report, employers plan to hire 9.5% more graduates in 2012 than they did in 2011. Additionally, the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ survey shows that graduates from this year’s class will be making an average of 6% more than 2010 graduates. Not a bad start. But the key is that employers ‘plan’ to hire more. As we commit ourselves as students, we look to our leaders to commit themselves to hiring Iowa’s talented graduates.

I want to continue to hear from you, students across the state. What are your concerns?  Share your story on my blog for legislators, education leaders, and your peers. Iowa’s leaders need to hear your story!

The Cost of College: Students’ Concerns and Savings Strategies

Many of you who are currently enrolled or will be enrolling in postsecondary education next year may feel discouraged at the price tag of obtaining your postsecondary education. The cost of education is not only real, but ever-increasing. In fact, for many schools in Iowa, tuition has increased at unprecedented rates.

Students like Will Mattessich from the University of Iowa share this concern. As Will put it, “the cost of higher education hinders the advancement of our own and future generations.” In many ways, he’s right. The Condition of Higher Education Report indicates that the cost of education is outpacing median household income. That means less money and more debt, and the less likely Iowa will be able to educate and retain physicians, pharmacists, and dentists and the like to serve our state.

However, there are some strategies that you can use to reduce some of these costs, like earning college credit during high school through postsecondary enrollment options and concurrent enrollment programs. This saves time and money. Erma Mujic earned dual-enrollment credits through Central Academy while she was a student at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines.  By the time she graduated from high school, she had earned 56 college credits through DMACC – all for free. This contributed to her being able to earn her bachelor’s degree from Drake University in only 2.5 years.

Students who have a clear idea of what they want to major in and what classes will best prepare them for that major are less likely to change majors in college and more likely to graduate on time.  To help students identify possible careers based on their individual interests, values, and skills, Iowa College Aid provides free access to I Have A Plan Iowa™.  By researching and identifying a career path in high school, students can make sure they take classes in high school that will not only meet college admission requirements, but will also academically prepare them for the rigors of their selected major.

In addition to federal student aid, Iowa College Aid provides over $58 million annually in state-funded scholarships and grants to assist Iowa students in paying higher education costs.  But you don’t have to stop there.  Erma Mujic knew her family could not afford to help pay for her college expenses; but she didn’t want to borrow too much either.  Instead, Erma searched and applied for many private scholarships ranging anywhere from $500 to $1500.  By dedicating time to the search and application process, Erma received several scholarships from community-based organizations and local businesses.   

While these strategies don’t cure the high cost of obtaining an education, they can significantly alleviate some of the burden.  According to the Project on Student Debt, Iowa college students graduate with an average student loan debt of $28,883 – some of the highest in the nation.  In contrast, Erma Mujic graduated from Drake University with significantly less debt, only $6,000 in student loans.

I want to hear more stories and personal experiences like Will’s and Erma’s! Comment on my blog and sign up to come share your story with legislators and policy leaders.

Hello! How can I help you?

The Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid) is here to serve the students and families of Iowa.  As  the commissioner appointed to represent Iowa’s postsecondary students, I want to be your voice on the Commission.  To make this happen, I need students like you to let me know what issues are important to you and what we at Iowa College Aid can do to serve Iowa’s college students. 

By subscribing to this blog, you’ll be notified when new posts are made on topics including:  college and career planning, financial aid and financial literacy.  I also plan to blog about the actions of the Iowa College Student Aid Commission and my activities as a commissioner.  Most importantly, this blog will give you the opportunity to comment on posts and share your opinions.  Please share your story by clicking on the ”Leave a Comment”  link below.  I want to hear about your concerns and the challenges you face on your path to becoming a college graduate.

I want to wish you a great year and look forward to hearing from you!