So hello everyone. Uh thank you all so much for uh for coming today on this specially called meeting. Thanks for everyone's ability to align their schedules uh so that we can can make this happen uh effectively. So again much appreciated. Uh would like to
officially call this uh meeting to order and I will look to uh Nancy to call the role. >> Right. Mike Alli >> present. >> Dennis Bland >> present. >> Kathy Cavayo, >> we see you. You're on mute.
>> You're on mute. >> You've been cited. Pasta here. >> Jud Fischer >> here. Samantha Flesher >> present. >> Larry Garoni
>> here. >> Bill Hannah >> here. >> Nancy Jordan. >> I'm here. >> Molly Kitel >> here. >> Ben Kramer. >> And
yeah. >> Oh, he is present. >> I am present. Pepper >> present. >> Okay. We know and Dan Peters >> and I am here. Thank you. >> We have a forum, a business forum and we have a complete uh complete attendance
of all commissioners. So again, thanks very much. Um we've called this special meeting to vote on Dr. Katie Jenner in serving as the next commissioner for higher education which would be effective on October 11th. Um just a little background here. I think we all know this, but just to to level set,
after taking office, Governor Brown established the education vertical to create a unified student centered vision across the full spectrum of education from kindergarten through college. As Commissioner Lowry began his transition plans, this decision became the logical
next step to ensure the best interest of Hooser students and that the and the agency remain top of mind. Dr. Jenner's qualifications precede her her service with the state of Indiana began as Governor Hulcom's senior education adviser before being selected as
Indiana's first appointed secretary of education. Dr. Jenner was reappointed by Governor Braun in an expanded role overseeing the full spectrum of education within the education vertical. Prior to working for the state, Dr. Dr.
Jenner served as vice president of K12 initiatives and statewide partnerships at IvyTech Community College, as well as the many years of service she spent serving as a teacher and in district leadership. She's dedicated her career to blurring
the lines between K12 higher education and the workforce. As commissioner, she will provide continuity, clarity, and consistency to the agency to maximize outcomes for Indiana students, employers, and our state. Dr. Jenner
will continue to serve as the leader of the education vertical and head of the Indiana Department of Education. Commission staff will be retained and any structural changes to the commission will require legislative action and commission input. Until his departure on
October 10th, Commissioner Chris Lowry will work closely with Dr. Jenner, myself, and other commission members, as well as our fantastic commission staff to ensure a seamless transition for agency operations. So again, thank you for being here and
for this uh support. Before we take a vote, I'd like to turn it to Commissioner Lowry for a few comments. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. U it's it's a privilege to make some comments here. And I'm going to start out on personal note. Um some of you know this,
many of you don't. Katie Jenner's been a good friend for more than a decade. I I was thinking about this last evening, Katie. And uh I think we met for the first time in her office in Madison Madison school board. I believe
I was still at Hillbrand and probably chairing the governor's regional works council at the time and what I can tell you was from the first conversation we had it was about doing K12 higher ed employers and um I think
that was quite the start of something including a southeastern Indiana. Um I think you said Mr. that her reputation precedes her or it does um you know bachelor's, masters and doctorate in education.
This this is somebody this is someone whose life is devoted to education and to steal a bit from what we say around here about opportunities possibilities for all of your students and it precedes her the
work she's done by tech for our state. The education verbal has made so much sense. We've begun to see the efficiencies have been improved from operating like this. I know I've said to more than a couple of you that when the governor announced this back in I think the idea
in December and the split by January, a couple people said to me, so Lowry, what do you think of this? And I said, the thing I think is why did it take till 2025 to organize like that? I I don't know how a governor or anybody else has 60 or 80 directors
and um personally I think the education vertical has performed as well or better. Okay, I guess I'm laying that down that any of the verticals have >> you I got in trouble with a lot of friends for doing that but very
seriously I think it has performed quite well so many things that have started to show the way that we can really operate all of this seamlessly on behalf of future students and on behalf of employers and the state um this is just
going to be the furthering of that I'm delighted thrilled to be helping from this perspective and this seat for the next 49 days with who's counting. Um and uh as I've said before, I I won't go away uh I I can't go away from the purpose and mission of all this work.
And so Mr. Chairman, thank you for allowing to say a few personal best and professional comments there, too. Delighted to see this. >> Thank you. >> God speed. >> Thank you, Commissioner Lowry. And we'll have lots of opportunity to celebrate
you. >> Yes. So I will not take a lot of time to do that because that's not what today is today is for. But you've been a fantastic leader and we are so appreciative of all you've done and again we'll talk about more in over the
next 49 days. Well, >> thank you. >> So um Dr. Jenner, >> yes, >> we're so glad you're here. Uh I would love to turn it over to you if you want to make some comments before we move forward. >> Sure. Is this my convincing speech that
I need to do? >> So, you know, Chris said so many kind words and I hope um those in the back heard we have been friends and fellow
advocates for education together for years. And you remember that moment in my office? I remember the many many times we met at the coffee shop in Batesville and they were brainstorming and and a lot of it was brainstorming um
in in a healthy competitive way because he was Batesville and I was Madison and we both wanted to win for kids um and we shared notes and how are you doing it? How are we doing it? And um so I cannot
thank you enough. I think um uh I mean many people in this room know my faith. I think the good Lord works in mysterious ways and our paths have just uh intertwined so many times and it is a real honor to continue so many of the uh
initiatives and the the work that the commission is doing and also uh continue moving the ball down the field. And I was jotting down a few um a few ways that I think together we will begin that
alignment. I'll be fast. I guess this is my convincing vote for me. I don't know. Um, you know, you worked a lot on affordability and of course increasing educational attainment for Hoosiers and
you know, a lot of the design work that we've already started in Indiana um for our Hooser students, including the high school redesign and making sure students have the direct admit potential to our top universities in Indiana.
um making sure that we have marketdriven credentials of value. So that really I I think about so many faces of children popping in my mind that if not for educators in K12 and higher ed um they
may not have that social and economic mobility. And so making sure students are very clear on what that market driven credential looks like. Also ahead of stackable credential and that qualifications framework. So presently
Indiana's done a nice job our universities working um together really independently to haveous from I'll give an example from like IvyTech to IU. I saw uh uh IU in the room so I'll use
them. Um, I'll use other examples later. Not playing favorites, but but thatou that is is singular to one university to another, sometimes our parents and families and students don't always know it exists. And so, what an opportunity
we have as a state to really build a system where our K12 universities all know what's possible, but so do our parents, families, and students. uh the apprenticeship model and the opportunities there to really again blur the lines and uh many of our
philanthropy partners and business business and industry partners have been right at the table uh with us and thinking through that. Um the potential to improve our longitudinal data systems so that we can understand the return on
investment that that we're getting um and how we can really plan for the future to help more hers. Uh on that note, um I don't want to to take too long before uh uh the vote happens that we did call everybody in on a Friday
afternoon, but I will say um to Chairman Dan Peterson and each of you as commission members, uh I've known most of you for years as well. And uh some of you I'm I'm just getting to know more. But it is absolutely an honor to join
this team and to continue working together uh again to move that ball forward for Hoosiers, the CHA team, uh the the staff members here who I think so fondly of and I mean what an opportunity we have to begin to really
work together more. our university presidents, leadership, faculty, eager to to work with and and partner with you and uh on that note, Chairman Peterson, I'll pass that over to you. >> Very good. Thank you so much for your
comments and and that was quick. That was not long. So that >> Oh, good. >> Yeah, that was that was great. That was great. I would like to open it up to other commission members. Uh anyone don't feel obligated, but certainly would love to to have comments um that anyone feels appropriate. I know I have
some, but I'll open her up to the to the crowd here. >> I just to say that it now is a great time for this to occur as Chris has developed really a strong leadership team within the commission and so I think we've got some really great talent
there that'll continue to lead, you know, on a day-to-day basis on the ground. So I so I feel really comfortable about where we are on that front. Uh the second is you're like you're saying the blurring between the lines of K through 12 and higher
education. I mean it could not have been happening more rapidly and and I think in an exciting fashion here in Indiana. Uh but to see that we're having so many you know talented kids getting credentials in high school which is better you know preparing them to roll
right into college and and and really attacking that affordability issue. I think it's another illustration and you know in terms of how we're really the whole educational process is about preparing for our workforce and I think you've got a a great sense of what that
is and what it needs to be and and how it interacts with with all the other really organizations within our state that are striving to get people good jobs to prepare them for continued advanced uh you know growth in their careers or so. So so I think it's a
great fit. I think it's illustrates our innovation and forward thinking and taking some steps outside the regular box and I think that's what you got to do to be competitive in today's dynamic environment. So I'm very supportive. >> Thank you. >> What's that
>> comments? if I could. >> When Commissioner Lowry told us he was moving on, that was that was some hard news and I was concerned about losing the momentum that we've been building. And
how do we as commission keep this going without the man who really was the the brains and I'll say the bronze behind it, no pun intended. But then when I heard the brilliant thought of having Dr. Jenner also be the
commissioner here now I know we'll keep the momentum going and if I know Katie will even get a bigger push and a you know some help with tailwind. So, I am personally I am absolutely very excited about what we're going to be able to accomplish in the next few years with
with your leadership and again continuing on what Chris and the amazing staff here have underway. So, it's an honor. >> I have nothing but sincere compliments for the partnership Pentagon and the work the commissioner L has laid the
groundwork for. I think that was inspirational and I liked the direction it was going in and I love the work that Commissioner Jenner or Secretary Jenner has done with K12 education and
your zest and zeal for the success of the students. I'm not one to blur lines. I'm still struggling with blurring the lines. I still like K12 as its own entity versus higher education. I I have
confidence in the people. I'm still struggling with the concept. >> There's anybody online? Um again, don't feel obligated, but want to make sure everybody has a chance to >> to say something as they wish. >> I just have one question, Dan. Uh, what's Katie gonna do while with all her
spare time? >> I'm gonna, >> I don't even know how to answer that right now. >> I'll still get up thinking about education and go to bed thinking about education. Uh, I can assure you. >> No, no, no doubt about that, Katie. We
have terrific confidence in you and your leadership. We love what you're doing. >> Thank you, Larry. >> I just echo Larry. Um, you know, working with Chris over the past few years has been amazing. And, uh, uh, get to know Katie also, um, you know, probably the
past three, four years has been great. Two wonderful people. This is a great transition and I'm very excited for it. >> Thank you, Chad. >> Um, I am broadcasting live from Northwest Indiana, so
comment on behalf of First District. sorry for not being there today, but um I think this is exciting and it's a natural um part of the evolution of the commission and will help us address some of these complex um issues um through better coordination and streamline
communication and other things. So, uh very excited about it, excited about the new leadership and what you've done uh Secretary Jenner in full support of this. Thank you. Kent Kent's on um Kent's still on mute, but
he said, "An innovative and efficient win for Indiana, replacing passion with passion." So, just wanted to make sure Kent Kramer's comments got in there. He's uh can't get off mute somehow. >> Well, well typed, Kent.
>> Anyone else? Okay. Well, um I I just have a few comments and then we'll we'll move forward with the uh the program at hand, if you will. So, uh like everyone here has said, I am again most thankful uh of our outgoing
commissioner and most excited about our incoming commissioner. Um blurring the lines, Pepper, I appreciate your honesty and transparency there around that topic. I think it means different things at different times. But my interpretation of the learning
alliance is that there is, you know, education at all levels, not just here in Indiana, has to really think about what its future is. Uh, and in some cases have to reinvent itself from the enrollment cliff to the impact of AI and
what careers of the future bring to name just a few. And so I think the everything we can do to coordinate the the the organizations that support the development and the future development
of education at all levels is just critically important. And so that part of blurring the lines is is something that I think is really important. I mean, so much evidence of the things that obviously Department of Ed and and the commission
had worked very closely on as staff up until this point. So, it's not like it's not anything new, >> but when you think about it, you can go down a laundry list of those types of programs from financial aid to the 21st century scholars and scholar success programs to uh career alignment issues
to the the college core um all the abilities that we're trying to provide for Hoosiers uh to go as far as they can and far as they want with their education in a clear, affordable, efficient way. I mean those things are not just one silo versus another. So the
more we can do to bring as much clarity and uh transparency and and efficiency and effectiveness uh to the table and also ensure that the quality of the education that we bring forward for our kids at all levels is is not sacrificed
and is advanced as far as possible. So to me this again makes a ton of sense. I think I speak not I don't have any qualms in speaking for myself but I think also for the rest of the commissioners that we know this is going to be you know there's going to be some deep dives into what we're doing and
what we need to do. We want to be a part of that >> and help support that investigation of what's what are the best ways we can do this. We we want to do it and be helpful and partners in uh in doing that from a a thoughtful uh evidence-based, you
know, deep dive as possible and make sure we we all bring our own history and talents and perspectives from not only from the team uh and our great team, but from those of us that represent different parts of the state, different parts of the of the economy. So, I think
um those are the the messages and and I I want to end it on the fact that I think that this has been this is such you're you're new, if you will, to the commission in this role, but you're not new to the commission or to obviously as
it's been said. So, I know um this amazing staff that we have um and it just continues to get better year-over-year and we lose a few to other parts of of the the education partners and other organizations. Uh
most all of them over my years of I think 13 or 14 years being on the commission, almost everybody who's left has stayed in Indiana, which is what's really awesome. And then Teresa before you, you both have had the ability to then miraculously find that next staff
member who's, you know, unbelievably even better than the or as good or better than the prior. So, um, I know what this staff means to what's done not only in higher ed, but education in general. And so I I'm enthused by the
what the perspective that I've heard from from the staff about how much they're excited about this new structure. So that's I talked longer than you did. So >> So anyhow, I just wanted to >> coach to talk or type.
I I like a lot of words, too. Disance. >> Yeah, >> enthusiasm. Enthusias. That's right. >> Yeah. So uh >> and I just one other point I just uh again I talked about the strength of our of our staff and and the leadership team and and I really am genuine in that but
I would just uh challenge them to continue to be as innovative and uh thinking of outside the box of new things and I know you know Secretary Jenner is going to be and the whole team the executive team with Josh and the the whole team are going to be receptive to
good new ideas because that's what we've got to continue to deliver is good new ideas uh to to continue to move forward and and uh really catapult ourselves further because uh it's really critical. So so don't think you are being hindered in any way in this process. In fact to
the contrary, we want you to be even more uh you know uh innovative and and thinking of better ways to do things. >> Absolutely. Well said. >> Thank you, Mike. Great comments. Um, unless there are other comments, uh,
we've come to the, uh, the moment of the meeting, if you will, when I would entertain a motion for approval of Dr. Katie Channer as the next commissioner of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. >> So moved. >> So moved. >> Thank you. I know there's going to be a
lot of interest in moving. Now, somebody gets the honor of seconding. >> Second. >> Second. Okay. I heard lots of them. All right. Are there any other comments or concerns? All right. So, uh, in we've got, uh, eight members present and we have the
other five, uh, are online. So, with our new structure and having online votes that are that count, um, we will instead of just doing a a mass yes or no or abstain, we will do it on a roll basis. So, Nancy, if you would.
>> Yes. So, if you could just answer yay or nay. Yes or no. And Ken, if you can type something when I call your name, that would be great. So, Mike Alli, >> yay. >> Dennis Bland, >> yes. >> Kathy Cabo,
>> I was able to unmute and I say yes. And Katie, I look forward to working with you. >> Thank you, Kathy. Thank you, Kathy. Ted Castanova. >> Hi, Jed Fischer. Hi >> Samantha Flesher.
>> Yes, >> Larry Geratonyi. >> Yes. >> Bill Hannah. >> Yes. >> Nancy Jordan is a solid yes. Molly Kitel. >> Yes.
P Kramer. >> Off mute. Yes. won't hear her. >> Last but not least, Dan Peterson. >> Yes, >> we have a unanimous approval of Dr.
Jenner as our fastest meeting ever. Um, other than me, is there any other old business? Any new business we need to talk about? All right. Hearing none, our next meeting, uh, official meeting of the
Commission for Higher Education is September 18th. And just to be clear, it's at Vins University, but it's the Jasper campus. So there's like I I for one misunderstood that initially. So glad we talked about it. So we didn't
show up on slot. So uh we look forward to seeing everyone. I think is that are you able to attend? >> Chris will be leading that meeting. I will be in DC. >> I thought you were at joining virtually. >> Okay, perfect. So >> with that uh this meeting's adjourned. Thank you and congratulations again.
Thanks to everyone. Thanks to the team. Uh you guys are all awesome. So everybody have a safe weekend. >> Thank you. >> All right.