Governor Quinn Names New Chair for Illinois Board of Higher Education

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Lindsay Anderson, a senior advisor for his administration, will succeed Carrie Hightman as chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). Anderson brings extensive legal and governmental experience, including the coordination and oversight of legislative agendas for state agencies such as the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Today's announcement continues the governor's commitment to making Illinois government more accountable, transparent and effective.

"Carrie Hightman has contributed a significant amount to thousands of students and I thank her for her service to the state of Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Lindsay Anderson is a talented public servant who will work hard to improve higher education in Illinois, and encourage our young residents to pursue post secondary schooling, which will strengthen Illinois' economy."

Anderson most recently served as a Senior Advisor to Governor Quinn and as Chair of the Illinois Campaign finance Reform Task Force. Prior to those roles, Anderson acted as legislative director and counsel to Governor Quinn, working directly with the members of the Illinois General Assembly on targeted issues facing state government, including education.

Prior to joining the Quinn Administration in February 2009, Anderson worked at McGuireWoods as an Attorney in the State Government Relations practice group where she provided clients with lobbying assistance and insight on the development and execution of strategic legislative plans. Prior to joining McGuireWoods, Lindsay worked as an Assistant Counsel to the Illinois Speaker of the House. In that capacity, she served as counsel and parliamentarian for committees on revenue and local government. Anderson also worked in the Mayor of Chicago's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Under Hightman's leadership as Chair of the IBHE, the state of Illinois adopted a 10-year master plan for higher education, the Public Agenda for College and Career Success, and made significant progress towards achieving its goals of affordability, accessibility and degree completion. The state is on track to meet its goal of 60 percent of the adult population having post secondary degrees by 2025. Hightman created a collaborative environment for all higher education stakeholders during her six years leading IBHE.

The IHBE oversees the programs, activities and policies related to higher education within the state and is responsible for planning and policy development; budgetary and fiscal affairs; academic program reviews and approval; and higher education grant administration and evaluation. The four primary components of the Illinois' blueprint for higher education include:

• Increase educational attainment to match the best-performing states and world countries;
• Ensure college affordability for students, families, and taxpayers;
• Increase production of high-quality postsecondary credentials to meet the demands of the economy and an increasingly global society; and
• Better integrate Illinois' educational, research, and innovation assets to meet the economic needs of the state and its regions.

Anderson's new position as Chair of IBHE will be effective beginning on June 5, 2013.