House Minority Leader
Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative
Kelly W. Pease (R-Westfield) to serve as his designee on the Commission for
Higher Education Quality and Affordability (CHEQA).
Created as part of
the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget, CHEQA is responsible for making recommendations
for improving the quality and affordability of higher education in the Commonwealth
and will focus on identifying ways to enhance state financial assistance and
other support programs for students who live in Massachusetts and attend one of
the state’s public colleges, universities, or community colleges. In addition
to reviewing aid for tuition, fees, books, supplies and other college expenses,
the Commission will also consider ways to reduce financial, logistical,
cultural and other barriers affecting students to help reduce their costs and
debt.
As a member of the
Commission, Representative Pease will help to evaluate programs that are designed
to improve student success, including academic support and career counseling
programs. The Commission will also identify ways to increase the recruitment
and retention of qualified adjunct and full-time faculty and staff to ensure
that students have access to a high-quality college education.
“While public
colleges and universities have traditionally cost less than attending a private
school, they can still be out of reach financially for many families unless we
provide students with the proper resources and support,” said Representative
Jones. “As the Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on Higher
Education, Kelly understands the importance of making college accessible and
affordable. I am confident he will do everything he can to help the Commission
develop strong recommendations for reducing costs and making sure all Massachusetts
public higher education students are positioned for success, both in school and
after graduation.”
Representative
Pease is one of 21 members serving on CHEQA, which will also include two
members appointed by the Governor who represent students currently enrolled at
a public institution of higher education. In addition to several higher
education representatives, the Commission will also include representatives
from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Inc.; the Massachusetts
Taxpayers Foundation, Inc.; the Massachusetts Business Roundtable; the
Massachusetts Teachers Association; and the Massachusetts Business Alliance for
Education, Inc.
The Commission is
scheduled to file its initial report by December 15, with a final report due by
March 31, 2025.
Prior to his
election to the House of Representatives in 2020, Representative Pease served
for 20 years on active duty in the U.S. Army. In addition to his ranking position
on the Joint Committee on Higher Education, he also currently serves as a
member of the House and Joint Ways and Means Committees, the Joint Committee on
Education, and the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.
Representative
Pease represents the 4th Hampden District, which includes the town
of Southampton and portions of the city of Westfield.
