Schweyer appointed to new State Board of Higher Education

Education Committee    September 13, 2024

HARRISBURG – Sept. 14 Pennsylvania House Education Committee Majority Chair Peter Schweyer today announced that he has been appointed to serve on the new State Board of Higher Education.

“Being both a first-generation college student and a longtime supporter of higher education, it is both a privilege and an honor to be appointed by Governor Shapiro to serve in this capacity on the Board of Higher Education,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “Right now, we are seeing students impacted with rising loan totals and employment shortages in critical fields for our economy. I am looking forward to collaborating with my fellow board members to find solutions and policies to provide more affordable access to higher education.”

The new State Board of Higher Education brings together leaders from higher education, the business community, labor, students, legislators, and members of the Shapiro Administration to craft a strategic plan for higher education, coordinate between higher education institutions and sectors, make higher education more accessible and affordable for students, and ensure our Commonwealth’s higher education institutions are training students with the skills and credentials needed to fill critical workforce shortages and power our economy for generations to come.

The Board will be tasked to create a new Outcomes-Based Funding Council that will deliver recommendations for how best to fund state-related universities and provide a range of supports to institutions experiencing fiscal instability.

Schweyer also serves on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).