SHEEO welcomes a new slate of officers and executive committee members

SHEEO welcomes a new slate of officers and executive committee members The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) is pleased to announce the 2026-27 slate of officers and new incoming executive committee members, including incoming committee Chair Aaron Thompson, President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Chair-Elect is Shannon Gilkey from the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. Other officers include Treasurer Geoffrey Landward from the Utah System of Higher Education and Past-Chair Ginger Ostro from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. SHEEO is the national association serving the chief executives of statewide governing, policy, and coordinating boards responsible for state postsecondary education across the country. SHEEO works to assist its members in developing and sustaining excellent systems of higher education and to advocate for postsecondary infrastructure and initiatives that bolster support and opportunities for student success and workforce alignment. The Executive Committee helps guide SHEEO’s federal priorities and strategies for promoting an environment that values higher education and the critical role of state-level higher education leaders. “The role of our Executive Committee is crucial to SHEEO’s mission,” said SHEEO President Rob Anderson. “This team of highly knowledgeable individuals provides essential feedback and direction for how we operate as an organization and what we prioritize. Their background and expertise shape our efforts – we’re thankful for the extra time they dedicate to helping our organization be member-driven.” SHEEO also welcomed four new members to the Executive Committee for the new fiscal year – Laurel Ballard from the Wyoming Community College Commission, Elizabeth Mauch from the Vermont State Colleges System, Chad Sampson from the Arizona Board of Regents, and Ken Warden from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.  “Postsecondary education remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic mobility and community prosperity,” said Aaron Thompson, President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. “In Kentucky, we’ve shown that bold, statewide strategies can raise attainment and open doors for students who’ve too often been left out. As Committee Chair, I’m committed to helping SHEEO amplify the role states play in connecting students to opportunity, and I’m grateful to build on the strong foundation Ginger Ostro and the committee have established.” Other Executive Committee members include:  Ben Boggs, Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development  Mike Duffey, Ohio Department of Higher Education Steven Gentile, Tennessee Higher Education Commission  Learn more about SHEEO’s membership and current work at https://sheeo.org.