Charting the Future 2007-2012: A Master Plan for West Virginia Higher Education

Overview & Synopsis

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) has statutory responsibility for developing a six-year strategic plan for higher education in cooperation with the state's colleges and universities, policy makers, and other key constituencies. This master plan aims to coordinate the efforts of the various institutions of higher education in the state, while recognizing that each institution plays a unique role within the larger system. "Charting the Future" provides an overarching vision for the state's system of higher education; this vision is implemented through the compact reporting process which asks each college and university to set goals specific to its mission and to account for achieving those goals. Higher education has long been the pathway to upward mobility in America, and HEPC takes responsibility for opening that pathway to all West Virginians. Accordingly, this plan addresses key issues in providing a quality post-secondary education for the state's population--issues such as access, student preparation, program offerings, cost, and learning accountability. HEPC looks to capitalize on existing strengths and better position West Virginia as a globally competitive, economically prosperous, and dynamic state. This document reflects their belief that higher education plays an instrumental part in the cultural and economic health of West Virginia communities. It is organized around five major planning areas: (1) economic growth; (2) access; (3) cost and affordability; (4) learning and accountability; and (5) innovation.