Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Minneapolis, MN · Founded 1991

Interstate compact promoting educational access and workforce development

Primary audience
Community Members
Work area
Social Services
Topic
Community Support
Contact
Susan Heegaard
Website Contact

About Organization

Midwestern Higher Education Compact brings together leaders from 12 Midwestern states to strengthen postsecondary education, advance student success, and address the region's most pressing challenges in higher education to transform educational opportunities. Based in Minneapolis, MN, the compact generates $9.9 million in annual revenue with 19 staff supporting educational initiatives across member states.

What They Focus On

Service Delivery

Provides programs meeting identified community needs with quality, consistency, and cultural responsiveness

Stakeholder Engagement

Builds relationships with participants, partners, and supporters advancing shared goals

Organizational Sustainability

Maintains operational capacity through sound management, diverse funding, and strategic planning

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$9.9M

+107.8% vs 2021

Expenses (2023)

$4.5M

+0.3% vs 2021

Assets (2023)

$18.2M

+171.1% vs 2021

Employees (2023)

19

+0% vs 2021

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $9,929,448 $4,475,860 $18,184,607 19
2021 $4,779,370 $4,463,350 $6,708,923 19
2020 $5,714,621 $3,973,735 $6,945,692 19
2019 $3,994,652 $3,594,538 $5,203,437 18
2018 $3,725,493 $3,482,129 $4,566,682 22
2017 $3,386,637 $3,533,609 $4,623,311 19

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Assess Needs

    Identifies community priorities through data analysis, stakeholder input, and environmental scanning

  • 02

    Design Programs

    Develops evidence-based interventions addressing identified needs with measurable outcomes

  • 03

    Deliver Services

    Implements programs through qualified staff, volunteers, and community partners

  • 04

    Evaluate Impact

    Monitors results, collects feedback, and adjusts strategies for continuous improvement

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Core Programs

Implements strategic initiatives aligned with organizational mission and community priorities

Outreach Services

Engages stakeholders through communication, education, and relationship building activities

Resource Development

Secures funding and partnerships supporting program sustainability and organizational growth

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Midwestern Higher Education Compact.

Susan Heegaard

Susan Heegaard

President (612) 677-2761
Full-time
Compensation: $284,990
Aaron Horn

Aaron Horn

Associate Vice President of Research (612) 677-2768
Full-time
Compensation: $109,030
Mary Roberson

Mary Roberson

Senior Director of Commissioner Relations and Operations (612) 677-2765
Full-time
Compensation: $108,299
Nathan Sorensen

Nathan Sorensen

Senior Director of Government Contracts (612) 677-2767
Full-time
Compensation: $101,841
Sara Appel

Sara Appel

Director of M-SARA (612) 677-2778
Samra Asghedom

Samra Asghedom

Manager of External Relations and Strategic Initiatives (612) 677-2764
Katie Chock

Katie Chock

Senior Director of Convenings and Operations (612) 677-2760
Benjamin Coder

Benjamin Coder

Programs and Contracts Manager (612) 677-2772
Jane Crosby-Schmidt

Jane Crosby-Schmidt

Project Manager (612) 677-2770
John Burczek Dreier

John Burczek Dreier

Vice President of Policy and Research (612) 677-2779
Breanne Hegg

Breanne Hegg

Vice President of Programs, Contracts, and Communications (612) 677-2762
Andrew Larson

Andrew Larson

Legislative and Policy Intern (612) 677-2774
Sophie Mancino

Sophie Mancino

Office and Convening Coordinator (612) 677-2771
Jonathan McNicholes

Jonathan McNicholes

Manager of Policy and Stakeholder Engagement (612) 677-2775
Rob Trembath

Rob Trembath

Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel (612) 677-2763
Carrie Wandler

Carrie Wandler

Senior Director of Policy Initiatives (612) 677-2769
Shaun Wyche

Shaun Wyche

Associate Director of Research and Data Analysis (612) 677-2773
RT

Robert Trembach

Chief Operating Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $167,895
JP

Jennifer Parks

Vice President
Full-time
Compensation: $143,077
JD

Jennifer Dahlquist

Vice President (Thru 08/23)
Full-time
Compensation: $117,278
AO

Aaron Otto

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
BF

Blake Flanders

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
BB

Bob Behning

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
BC

Brad Christ

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
BJ

Brandy Johnson

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
BP

Brandy Pyle

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
CG

Carol Glanville

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
CK

Chris Kabourek

Commissioner (Thru 07/23)
1 hrs/week
CW

Cindy Winckler

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
CH

Connie Hutchison

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
CT

Curtis Trent

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
CL

Cynthia Lane

Commissioner (Thru 07/23)
1 hrs/week
DH

Daniel Hurley

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
DM

David Murphy

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
DP

David Pearce

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
DF

Deborah Frison

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
DO

Dennis Olson

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
DF

Derrick Franck

Commissioner (Thru 07/23)
1 hrs/week
DM

Devinder Malhotra

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
DK

Dottie King

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
EY

Emmy Young

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
EF

Eric Fulcomer

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
GC

Gary Cates

Commissioner (Thru 05/24)
1 hrs/week
GP

Gene Pelowski Jr

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
GL

Grant Latimer

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
GR

Greta Rouse

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
HM

Heath Mello

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
JH

Jack Hershey

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
JB

Jacob Bossman

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
JC

Jerry Cirino

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
JB

Joan Ballwag

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
JH

Joanna Hofer

Commissioner (Thru 07/23)
1 hrs/week
JC

John Cavanaugh

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
JF

Jon Ford

Commissioner (Thru 07/23)
1 hrs/week
JU

Julie Underwood

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
KE

Karla Eslinger

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
KH

Kayla Hahn

Commissioner - Mo Apog (Thru 07/23)
1 hrs/week
KS

Ken Sauer

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
KD

Kyle Davison

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
LT

Larry Tidemann

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
LW

Lynne Walz

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
MH

Mark Hagerott

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
MB

Maureen Banks

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
MC

Michael Cartney

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
MG

Michael Goh

Commissioner (Thru 07/23)
1 hrs/week
MH

Michael Halpin

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
MW

Mint Winter

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
MB

Molly Baumgardner

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
NL

Nathan Lukkes

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
OM

Olivia Ma Madison

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
OF

Omar Fateh

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
PK

Pranav Kothari

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
RC

Rachel Croson

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
RL

Rebecca Larson

Commissioner (Thru 07/23)
1 hrs/week
RR

Ronald Rochon

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
SD

Samantha Dickey

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
SO

Scott Olson

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
SM

Sean McCann

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
SD

Spencer Deery

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
SK

Steve Kolbeck

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
ST

Susan Thompson

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
TF

Tim Flakoll

Executive Commissioner
2 hrs/week
TY

Tom Young

Commissioner
1 hrs/week
TT

Tyler Tordsen

Commissioner
1 hrs/week

Milestones

1991

Organization Founded

1991

Established as nonprofit corporation serving community needs

2017

Financial Growth

2017

Expanded operational capacity through increased revenue and program development

2022

Program Expansion

2022

Enhanced service delivery reaching more individuals and strengthening community partnerships

2023

Continued Operations

2023

Maintained service delivery and organizational stability despite external challenges

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

BB
Barbara Ballard Past Board Chair 3.00 hrs/week
KS
Katie Stuart Board Vice Chair 3.00 hrs/week
MD
Mike Duffey Board Chair 3.00 hrs/week
TM
Tim Mihalick Board Treasurer 3.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$1.3M

Highest Paid

$343K

Susan Heegaard

Compensated Officers

7

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Susan Heegaard President $284,990 $58,507 $343,497 40
Robert Trembach Chief Operating Officer $167,895 $63,729 $231,624 40
Jennifer Parks Vice President $143,077 $61,193 $204,270 40
Mary Roberson Senior Director $108,299 $36,823 $145,122 40
Jennifer Dahlquist Vice President (Thru 08/23) $117,278 $21,191 $138,469 40
Aaron Horn Associate Vice President $109,030 $22,388 $131,418 40
Nathan Sorensen Senior Director $101,841 $24,345 $126,186 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Not Forgiven

Total Approved

$300K

Total Forgiven

$0

Jobs Retained

17

Loan Details 1 loan

$300,000
Paid in Full
Approved Jun 19, 2020
Lender American National Bank
Jobs Reported 17

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Contact

Get in touch with Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Phone

(612) 677-2777

Social

Visit Website
105 Fifth Avenue South Suite 450 Minneapolis, MN 55401