Gov. Wes Moore appoints a nearly entire new membership for Maryland Higher Education Commission

[get these nets]

*Cliff's- The MHEC denied the proposals of two universities to start academic programs, saying that they duplicated existing programs at U. of Maryland-Baltimore, and U. Maryland Eastern Shore (HBCU).

Spoiler

As private institutions, Johns Hopkins and Stevenson can still move forward with their proposed programs, but doing so could jeopardize their funding from the state legislature.

 

[invalid]

*Cliff's- The MHEC denied the proposals of two universities to start academic programs, saying that they duplicated existing programs at U. of Maryland-Baltimore, and U. Maryland Eastern Shore (HBCU).

Spoiler

As private institutions, Johns Hopkins and Stevenson can still move forward with their proposed programs, but doing so could jeopardize their funding from the state legislature.

Interesting.

Had no idea these education commissions can restrict programs from one university based off of the program offerings from another university. I get the logic, Hopkins being a bigger brand, especially in the medical industry, could possibly siphon away applicants and educators away from the HBCUs and also citing that there is not more state demand for PT.

But it seems like this is a slippery slope. We just had a thread in TLR with respect to the Mississippi state auditor recommending state-wide restriction of programs (i.e. Afram studies) under the guise of "low demand".

It seems like restricting programs for any reason (whether to preserve HBCUs, or in MS case, trying to get rid of Afram studies) can become problematic and can incur legal problems.

 

[get these nets]

Interesting.

Had no idea these education commissions can restrict programs from one university based off of the program offerings from another university. I get the logic, Hopkins being a bigger brand, especially in the medical industry, could possibly siphon away applicants and educators away from the HBCUs and also citing that there is not more state demand for PT.

But it seems like this is a slippery slope. We just had a thread in TLR with respect to the Mississippi state auditor recommending state-wide restriction of programs (i.e. Afram studies) under the guise of "low demand".

It seems like restricting programs for any reason (whether to preserve HBCUs, or in MS case, trying to get rid of Afram studies) can become problematic and can incur legal problems.

The state of Maryland settled a lawsuit a few years back filed by the HBCUs. The same commission was accused of greenlighting duplicate programs/concentrations at other schools, deliberately to siphon students away from the Black colleges.

Universities in state systems are always going to be regulated and controlled by appointed boards and commissions. Historically, Black people have not been in those rooms, or in significant numbers, so we've gotten the short end of the stick.

During Gov. Moore's term(s) and with the settlement revenue, I hope that the schools are able to strengthen their programs so that when the pendulum swings the other way they are in better position to deal with the decisions of these boards.

*The auditor in Mississippi has evil intent, and moved beyond limiting concentrations to certain schools in State systems to just getting rid of them. If that issue ever comes before the MS counterpart to MHEC, proponents of those courses would be able to state their cases and suggest alternative ways to combat the "brain drain" that the auditor is using as a pretext to nix those programs. The same way that the two PWIs in this story were able to defend their proposals in this story.

 

[get these nets]

Towson University program rejected as ‘duplication’ of one at Morgan State

For the second time in two years, Morgan State University asserted a Towson doctoral program would violate a 2021 discrimination settlement.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

Another Towson University program rejected as ‘duplication’ of one at Morgan State​

11/20/2024

For the second time in two years, the Maryland Higher Education Commission asserted a Towson program violated a 2021 discrimination settlement​

The Maryland Higher Education Commission ruled on Wednesday that Towson University cannot create a doctoral program in sustainability and environmental change, citing its “unreasonable duplication” of a similar program at Morgan State University.
Eight members of the commission voted to uphold a previous ruling on the matter issued by Sanjay Rai, the secretary of higher education in the state. Only one disagreed that Towson’s program would cause “demonstrable harm” to Morgan State’s bioenvironmental science Ph.D. program by competing for students and faculty members.
“The program Towson is proposing is unreasonably and unnecessarily duplicative of the Morgan program,” said David Wilson, Morgan State’s president, at the meeting. “Morgan State University takes very, very seriously the whole notion of program duplication.”
This is not the first time the two universities, situated less than 5 miles apart, have clashed. Last year, Morgan State raised alarm bells after Towson “replicated” a business analytics administration program at the historically Black college. The Maryland Higher Education Commission ultimately sided with Morgan State and rejected Towson’s request for that doctoral program, as well. The same year, the commission denied requests from the Johns Hopkins University and Stevenson University for a Ph.D. program in physical therapy, which it said would have duplicated a program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, another HBCU.

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Champions of Maryland’s historically Black colleges won a $577 million settlement in 2021 after years of arguing that the state had underfunded HBCUs and allowed other public colleges to duplicate their programs, hindering their ability to attract students. The commission must now consider whether new, competing programs at historically white institutions would harm those at HBCUs.
While Towson “respects the decision of the commissioners, we are disappointed in and do not concur with today’s denial of our appeal,” a spokesperson told The Baltimore Banner. “The graduates of such a unique program would have helped our state to meet the critical environmental and climate-change related challenges we all face today and increasingly will face in the future.”

 

[Dwayne_Taylor]

let me know when he has a plan for black males in maryland K-12 and Universities

 

[Secure Da Bag]

let me know when he has a plan for black males in maryland K-12 and Universities

Change the welfare laws so mothers get more money having the fathers in the home.

 

[get these nets]

let me know when he has a plan for black males in maryland K-12 and Universities

You seem to be talking out of your ass here. You're dismissing the real life benefit that his actions have had on state HBCUs, and playing "bu bu but, what about?" games.

 

[Apollo Creed]

let me know when he has a plan for black males in maryland K-12 and Universities

Never gonna happen and black people will continue to suffer for it

 

[get these nets]

06/10/25

Governor Moore Announces Grants for Maryland Institutions of Higher Learning to Help Address Teacher Shortage and Support Displaced Federal Employees​

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Wes Moore today announced that the Maryland Higher Education Commission will provide $1 million in grants to 11 colleges and universities to support new career paths for displaced federal workers. Through the Teacher Quality and Diversity Program, institutions of higher education can help federal workers secure jobs in education through targeted training, licensure support, and school district partnerships.

“Maryland is mobilizing. We refuse to stand idly by while the new federal administration fires public servants without cause and are doing everything in our power to put Marylanders first,” said Gov. Moore. “This funding helps our federal workers land on their feet, while also addressing the teacher shortage throughout our state. Together, we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and protect our people in the face of attacks from Washington.”

The governor announced the new grants during a roundtable discussion between higher education leadership and displaced federal workers enrolled in the ACET Flex: From Feds to Eds program at Montgomery College in Rockville. The discussion centered on innovative pathways to transition into careers in education through targeted retraining and certification programs, highlighting the value of federal employees’ diverse work experience and commitment to public service.

The new program advances Maryland’s mission to build a workforce that strengthens the future of education across the state. The initiative is a critical component to addressing educator shortages by expanding the pool of highly-skilled teacher candidates among public servants who may be seeking a new career path. As of mid-March, there were more than 1,600 teacher vacancies across the state of Maryland.

“Former federal employees have the skills and experience needed to provide a high-quality education and diversify our classrooms to reflect our communities,” said Maryland Higher Education Commission Secretary Dr. Sanjay Rai.“By implementing this grant program, we are helping to ease the transition into meaningful and stable careers while closing the teacher shortage.”

The program funding is the latest effort from the Moore-Miller Administration to help address Maryland’s teacher shortage. Earlier this month, Governor Moore signed The Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act, which will bring more fully licensed teachers to the state through a national recruitment campaign and the Grow Your Own Educators Program, which supports debt-free pathways to obtain a teacher’s license.

Institutions receiving awards include:

• Bowie State University - “Meeting the Needs of Maryland’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students: Training Underrepresented Teachers Through BSU’s M.Ed. in ESOL Program”
• Community College of Baltimore County - “Expanding Teacher Quality and Diversity”
• Goucher College - “Enhancing Alternative Programs for In-District Pathways”
• McDaniel College - “Transition to Teach Project”
• Montgomery College - “ACET Flex: From Feds to Eds”
• Morgan State University - “Transitioning to Teaching: A Strategic Response to Both the Diverse Teacher Shortage and Employment Crisis in Maryland”
• Notre Dame University of Maryland - “Advancing Diversity and Alternative Pathways in Preparing Teachers”
• Salisbury University - “USM Consortium Alternative Certification Pathway”
• Towson University - “Imagine: A Pathway to Teaching”
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County - “Designing Excellence: A Quality Driven Approach for Real-World Educators”
• University of Maryland, College Park - “USM Consortium Alternative Pathway”