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.
