Michigan has 15 public universities, more than 30 community colleges and dozens of private and trade schools. These help develop lifelong learning, employment skills and networks.
But how does Michigan stack up with the rest of the country? Michigan taxpayers are spending more on higher education but the number of students enrolled has dropped for years and is now about 20% below where it was a decade ago. State taxpayers spend $2.7 billion on higher education, which is up $800 million over the past few years and more than any of our neighboring states. Michigan spends more than Massachusetts — the state with the highest percentage of degree-holders in the nation — and more per person than Colorado or Vermont (which are number 2 and 3 on that list).
There is more federal government involvement in higher education than ever. In spite of, or because of this, spending, tuition and debt have all risen while enrollees, graduates and the value of a degree have all fallen. So what can, and should, lawmakers, taxpayers, parents and students do about this?
This panel will discuss how higher education is funded, how our schools are performing and what types of reforms lawmakers should consider and ways to measure success. This discussion will feature those from a variety of angles — a college professor, a researcher and a former lawmaker on the higher education committee. Each will share their perspectives on their experiences with and the state of higher education in Michigan.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Program: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
The Louie Building
Freedom Hall (6th Floor)
123 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48933
Call our Events office at
Event is free, but RSVP is necessary by May 10, 2024
Register online
Dr. Andrew Gillen is a research fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Educational Freedom. His research focuses on the economics of higher education, with an emphasis on federal and state policies related to financial aid, regulation, accreditation, financing, transparency and accountability. Prior to joining Cato, he spent over a decade at nonprofit and philanthropic organizations researching and trying to improve higher education. He served in research roles for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the American Institutes for Research, Education Sector, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. Dr. Gillen earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ohio University and a Ph.D. in economics from Florida State University.
Hon. Tonya Schuitmaker is the co-director of the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University and the managing partner at Schitmaker Moraitis Law in Paw Paw, Michigan. She previously served in the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives, representing southwest Michigan. While serving, she was chosen as the Senate’s President Pro Tempore and was a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Higher Education. Tonya has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law.
Dr. William Volz is the distinguished service professor of business law and ethics at Wayne State University, where he has taught commercial law and regulation, business ethics, constitutional law and tax policy since 1978. Dr. Volz sits on the board for Michigan Audubon, Henry Ford Health Systems, the Detroit Historical Society and many other organizations. He volunteers with many organizations and has hundreds of publications to his name. Dr. Volz has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, a master’s and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University and an MBA from Harvard.
