Portions of the story were first release by the Office of Governor Josh Shapiro.

Governor Josh Shapiro announced his appointments to the new State Board of Higher Education, including Dr. Kara Laskowski, professor and chair of the Communication Studies Program and vice president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF). The establishment of this board is a crucial component of the higher education reforms the Governor signed into law as part of the 2024-25 budget.

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. Additionally, the board will 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.

“Every Pennsylvanian deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed — and that’s exactly what the new State Board of Higher Education will help deliver,” said Shapiro. “The new Board builds on my blueprint for higher education and brings together a diverse set of leaders and stakeholders to develop statewide and regional solutions to the challenges we face – tackling workforce shortages head on and improving access and affordability for students. I know this group of leaders has the skills, commitment, and experience necessary to help build a higher education system that will serve our Commonwealth well for generations to come.”

“I am grateful for Governor Shapiro’s confidence and honored to represent APSCUF and labor in this historic effort to better coordinate and support higher education in Pennsylvania. The State Board of Higher Education is charged with expanding what we at Shippensburg University do so very well – namely, delivering educational opportunities for students who seek to enhance their personal and professional contributions to their communities and the Commonwealth. I look forward to contributing to this meaningful work,” said Laskowski.

Governor’s appointees to the State Board of Higher Education include:

  • Cynthia Shapira (chair), chairwoman of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors.
  • Dr. Brenda Allen (vice chair), President of Lincoln University.
  • Dr. Ann Bieber, President of Lehigh Carbon Community College.
  • Sean Eden, student at Pennsylvania State University.
  • Richard Englert, Interim President of Temple University.
  • Kara Laskowski, professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Shippensburg University and a member of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF).
  • Kenneth Long, President of East Stroudsburg University.
  • Dr. Cheryl McConnell, President of Saint Joseph’s University.
  • Pedro Rivera, President of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
  • Andrea Shirk, President and CEO of Rock Lititz.
  • Michael Wade Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff of Penn State University
  • Michael Warfel, Vice President of Governmental Affairs at Highmark, Inc.
  • Kevin Washo, Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh.
  • Bobbie Jo Zapor, Library Assistant at Indiana University and as President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 763.

The General Assembly has also made four appointments to the State Board of Higher Education:

  • Senator Jay Costa
  • Senator Wayne Langerholc
  • Representative Peter Schweyer
  • Representative Jesse Topper

In his first budget address, Shapiro called on state leaders to rethink higher education in the Commonwealth. Over the past year and a half, the Shapiro Administration brought together stakeholders, legislators, higher education leaders, union members, students, families, and more to have meaningful conversations about higher education in Pennsylvania, and to build on the Administration’s blueprint.

Now, Pennsylvania has a budget that delivers real solutions for higher education. This budget:

  • Creates a new State Board of Higher Education that will, for the first time, coordinate every sector of higher education in Pennsylvania and utilize student-level data to determine what’s working and what’s not. The board will ensure higher education in Pennsylvania supports critical workforce needs and serves as an economic driver for generations to come. The board will also create a performance-based funding council that will develop recommendations on how to create a performance-based funding formula to drive funds to state-related institutions.
  • Invests in public higher education institutions, including a $15.7 million increase – a six percent increase – for community colleges and $35.1 million increase for PASSHE schools – also a six percent increase.
  • Makes higher education more affordable for students with over $120 million in increased funding for scholarships and grants, including $28 million for scholarships to students pursuing a degree in a high-demand field, a $54 million increase to PHEAA student grants, and $5 million for disadvantaged students’ scholarships.
  • Doubles funding for student teacher stipends for a total of $20 million to ensure student teachers are compensated for their hard work.