CICC Member Spotlight

 

Wisconsin by the Numbers

  • Wisconsin is home to 32 independent colleges and universities enrolling 65,213 students.
  • Wisconsin ranks 27th nationally in the number of students receiving Pell Grants, with 79,945 students receiving $311 million annually.
  • Wisconsin ranks 18th in the number of students receiving Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, with 35,742 students receiving $17.6 million annually.
  • Wisconsin ranks 18th in the number of students receiving Federal Work-Study awards, with 13,787 students receiving $19.5 million annually.
  • Four independent colleges and universities are located in Rep. Grothman's district, including:

 
 

Glenn Grothman (R-WI)

   

Currently serving a fourth term in the House of Representatives, Glenn Grothman serves on three committees: Committee on Education and Labor, Committee on the Budget, and Committee on Oversight and Reform, where he serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Security.  His time in office has been marked by his passionate advocacy for manufacturing, worker training, welfare reform, higher education reform, immigration reform, and pro-life causes. He is a member of the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus.

 

Q: Why did you decide to join the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus?
A: Wisconsin’s Sixth Congressional District is home to many independent colleges. They offer a unique college experience that varies from campus to campus, while providing quality education to students. Many of my current and former staffers attended independent colleges and speak highly of their experience.

 

 

"Rep. Glenn Grothman maintains a regular presence on Concordia University Wisconsin’s campus. We appreciate his support of key university community initiatives and events including the biannual President’s Leadership Breakfast.”

 William Cario, Ph.D. 
Interim-President, Concordia University Wisconsin  
 


Q: What contributions are independent colleges making in your district?
A: The Sixth District is home to four independent colleges: Lakeland University, Marian University, Concordia University Wisconsin, and Ripon College. I am very familiar with each of these schools and have seen their quality teachers, students, and facilities. I am proud to represent a district that has so many first-class independent colleges that produce productive, prepared contributors to our community.

 

“We are thankful for Rep. Grothman’s support of our award-winning Cooperative Education program. This new approach to higher
education focuses on students getting the skills they need through education while lowering post-graduation debt.  He understands
and supports this innovative approach to higher education that
also addresses the region’s workforce development challenges.”

Elizabeth Borgen, D.B.A  
President, Lakeland University  

 

   

Q: How do you see these schools innovating?
A: Lakeland University has partnered with Lakeshore Technical College and the Sheboygan Area School District to offer students their College Here and Now program, a dual enrollment program that allows high school students the opportunity to get their associate’s degree at the same time they graduate high school before earning a bachelor’s degree in just two years. Marian University is home to a top-notch nursing program. Concordia University is the second largest Lutheran university in the country and is meeting the growing need for pharmacists with their pharmacy school. Concordia also offers dual enrollment to high school students, allowing them to earn credits more quickly and with less student loan debt. Ripon College, the dean of Sixth District independent colleges, has had its doors open since 1861, and mixes tried-and-true methods with modern technology. I’ll also highlight Herzing University, since I represent a part of Milwaukee County, which is credited by U.S. News and World Report as having a top online program.

 

“Marian University appreciates the commitment to support private
higher education endorsed by Congressman Grothman, especially
in light of the fact approximately 40% of our traditional
undergraduate student body is comprised of first generation
students. Providing a quality education for this population is an
important goal of all private institutions of higher education.”

 Michelle Majewski, Psy.D.  
President, Marian University Wisconsin  
   


Q: As a Member of Congress, how do you support the opportunity for education?

A:  As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I work every day to make sure students have the best opportunity to succeed in school. Success is not defined solely by their academic ability, either. Student loan debt is a mounting problem in this country that we need to get under control quickly. While it is going to take time to solve this problem, one thing Congress can do to prevent students from acquiring mountains of debt is to pass my bill, the Competency-Based Education (CBE) Act, which I have introduced in past Congresses and reintroduced in April 2022. This bill will provide a framework for institutions to effectively and more easily deliver competency-based programs. Competency-based programs allow students to complete coursework at their own pace, so students may be able to complete 30 hours’ worth of credits in a semester instead of 15 if they adequately show they have mastered the material, thus shortening the amount of time they will need to spend in school racking up debt. Successful CBE programs that are already in place save students thousands of dollars, allow for flexible school schedules for non-traditional learners, and deliver the same quality of results as traditional time-based education programs.


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