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��ɬֱ��’s Higher Education Community to Launch National Initiative – Feb 19, 2007

“Student Access and Success: No Longer an Option” the Theme of Feb. 22 Forum

Baton Rouge, La. – The University of ��ɬֱ�� System will play host to public college and university teams from across the state as the National Association of System Heads (NASH) launches its initiative to improve student access and success. The education forum, entitled Student Access and Success: No Longer an Option, will take place on Thursday, February 22 in Baton Rouge.

“What an honor it is to be first to work with NASH on this important program that is designed to improve accessibility, affordability and accountability – issues that have recently received much national attention,” said ��ɬֱ��System President Sally Clausen. “The NASH initiative is exciting because not only does it build on established work to advance student achievement, it also promotes saving costs.”

Last fall, NASH invited Clausen to work with her peers from around the nation to identify solutions to barriers to student success, determine best practices and develop strategies to enhance retention and graduation rates. Thursday’s program is a direct outcome of that work.

A slate of distinguished speakers from around the nation will visit ��ɬֱ�� in association with the Forum.

Kati Haycock, President of The Education Trust, will present strategies to close achievement gaps between high and low poverty students. Haycock, a national child advocate, was recently listed by Education Week as the third most influential person in the country on educational policy issues.

Carol Twigg, President of the National Center for Academic Transformation, and George Mehaffy, Vice President for Academic Leadership and Change at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), will discuss tactics for transforming the freshman year experience, an important gateway for success in college.

WHAT: Higher Education Forum

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007

**PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: System Heads to Sign NASH Agreement at 1:45 p.m. **

WHERE: Claiborne Building, Room 136
1201 N. Third Street
Baton Rouge, ��ɬֱ��

According to NASH President Tom Meredith, at least 20 higher education systems will be joining ��ɬֱ��’s commitment to establish aggressive stretch goals, mount powerful action strategies, and regularly publish results to keep the public abreast of progress in improving access and success.

“The NASH initiative is timely,” said Joe Savoie, ��ɬֱ��’s Commissioner of Higher Education. “As we develop ��ɬֱ��’s new Master Plan for Public Postsecondary Education, our primary aim will continue to be maximizing student access and increasing student success – so we’ll be doing a lot to enhance educational opportunities for our citizens that will ultimately enrich ��ɬֱ��’s workforce.”

The following institutions and systems have registered teams for the Forum:

• Baton Rouge Community College
• Bossier Parish Community College
• Grambling State University
• L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College
• ��ɬֱ�� Board of Regents
• ��ɬֱ�� Community and Technical College System
• ��ɬֱ�� Delta Community College
• ��ɬֱ�� State University
• ��ɬֱ�� State University at Alexandria
• ��ɬֱ�� State University at Eunice
• ��ɬֱ�� State University System
• ��ɬֱ�� Tech University
• McNeese State University
• Nicholls State University
• Northwestern State University
• Nunez Community College
• River Parishes Community College
• Southeastern ��ɬֱ�� University
• Southern University
• Southern University at New Orleans
• Southern University System
• Sowela Technical Community College
• University of ��ɬֱ�� at Lafayette
• University of ��ɬֱ�� at Monroe
• University of ��ɬֱ�� System

For more information, a complete forum agenda, and a high-resolution forum logo visit .

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For More Information Contact:
Jackie Tisdell
225-342-6950