Kinders will chair 2014 task force

Mark Kinders (MPA '00), the vice president for public affairs at the University of Central Oklahoma, was selected as chair-elect of a higher education task force that sponsors a nationwide conference on public higher education government relations.

The Higher Education Government Relations Conference brings public policy advocates, presidents, regents, and other higher education leaders together to discuss state and national trends generated by governors, state legislators, Congress, and the federal administration. During the three-day annual conference, attendees are updated on federal and state public policy initiatives, global challenges, and best practices of universities and colleges in order to improve America's global competitiveness through higher education.

The national task force, which also recognizes exemplary contributions by higher education policy advocates, is comprised of 20 representatives from four higher education associations: the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, representing regional four-year institutions; the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, comprised of doctoral research institutions; the American Association of Community Colleges; and the Council for the Advancement of Support of Education, whose membership includes more than 4,000 public and private higher education institutions in 29 nations. Collectively, the four associations represent more than 14.9 million students at America's public universities and colleges.

Kinders will chair the task force as it establishes its 2014 conference agenda.

Connect with Mark: mkinders@uco.edu