Committees

The Board shall create an Executive Committee, to provide advice and counsel to the Chair, including on matters of urgency requiring immediate consideration.

The Economic and Workforce Development Committee supports and provides direction to Board staff in advancing the Board’s goal of ensuring that institutions of higher education fully meet the workforce and economic needs of the Commonwealth. The Committee will support staff in working with other governmental stakeholders and Commonwealth and regional councils, boards, and employers to create, attract, and retain high-paying employers and industries through research, innovation, credentials, and skills, and ensure generation of postsecondary credentials and skills needed to fill current jobs and those likely to exist in the future. In pursuing this charge, the committee intersects as needed with other key SBHE committees or activities, including those around access and affordability and data collection.

No deadline established in legislation. Committee and Board to establish timeline and deadlines.

Section 2013-L specifies that the SBHE must adopt a strategic plan no later than 9/1/2025.

A draft plan must be made available for public comment for 30 days prior to adoption.

The SBHE must post the plan and annual reports tracking progress to its website and transmit to the Governor, the General Assembly, the president of each institution of higher education, and the president of each bargaining unit that represents employees at institutions of higher education.

The Governance and Leadership Committee is focused on ensuring excellence and best practices of the Board. The committee shall make recommendations for full Board consideration regarding the operation of the Board, including the need for any new bylaws and amendments to existing bylaws. The committee also reviews and recommends to the Office of the Governor criteria for the recruitment and continuing development of Board members.

The Data Committee shall deliver recommendations regarding the establishment and maintenance of data systems and data collection for full Board consideration. The Data Committee shall also lead annual reporting on postsecondary data elements required by Article XX-L of the School Code.

No deadline established in legislation. Committee and Board to establish timeline and deadlines.

The purpose of the Policy Committee is to work with SBHE legal counsel, the State Board of Education and PDE to review the roles of the State Board of Education and PDE related to higher education, including all relevant higher education laws and to deliver recommendations to the full SBHE for its consideration as to any additional changes including updates to higher education laws; work with SBHE staff to recommend processes and procedures to implement all SBHE authority fairly and efficiently; identify state- and federal-level policy issues of critical importance to the SBHE and ensure they are communicated effectively to the Board; and serve as a repository of recommended policy changes aligned to SBHE priorities.

The Community College Advisory Council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Board and to Board staff in advancing the Board’s goals and responsibilities related to community colleges. 

The Council shall: 

1. Provide strategic guidance and informed advice to support collaboration with the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) and the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) on community college initiatives. 
2. Review and discuss workforce initiatives that mutually benefit and support community colleges through PACCC and are under discussion by the SBHE. 
3. Develop and present recommendations to the full Board for consideration regarding potential modifications, additions, or updates to higher education laws, regulations, and policies. 
4. Foster communication and collaboration between the PACCC, its member institutions, and the SBHE to promote alignment of community college priorities with statewide higher education goals.