Welcome
The Center for Higher and Adult Education emphasizes both the importance of policy and international work in post-secondary education for the 21st century. The Center aims to create an intellectual climate by supporting academic and cultural exchange at the postsecondary level as well as hosting forums dedicated to exploring the challenges and opportunities confronting higher education policy in today’s complex, global environment. In addition the Center assists the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education faculty and graduate students with their post-secondary research, teaching, and outreach related to higher education policy both domestically and across the globe.
For more information on HALE academic programs and how to apply, consult the Prospective Students section by clicking here or the admissions page here.
HALE Students Make Policy Trip to D.C.
As the capstone to the first year core curriculum, the EAD 967 Postsecondary Education Policy class travels each year to the nation’s capital. The purpose of the trip is to give students an up-close look at the way that the national policy structures work. As Gina Vizvary, a second year student noted, “It was wonderful to meet with a variety of individuals and to 
discuss the ripple effect of national legislation, regulation, and politics on postsecondary education.” This year’s trip took place on October 18-19, 2012, during which the HALE 2nd year PhD cohort traveled to Washington, D.C. to learn about educational policy at the federal level. The students met with representatives from MSU’s federal relations office, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, the Association of American Universities, the National Science Foundation, the American Council on Education, and the Institute for Higher Education Policy. The students found it to be an insightful and beneficial experience. Mike Zeig, a second year student, found that “It was great to meet with a representative from the NSF and learn about the inner workings of such an important funding agency. I gained new knowledge that could only be learned through a trip to D.C.” These sentiments were echoed by classmate Renata Opoczynski, who explained that “The DC trip is a unique opportunity to experience the complexities of higher education policy creation at the federal level as well as an opportunity to hear from researchers currently exploring higher education policy.” As part of its ongoing commitment to excellence in education, the HALE program offers this and other opportunities for experiential learning.
