Southeast to host hearing about college-completion rates

Ideas for improving Missouri's college completion rates will be the focus of a public hearing about the state's higher-education system June 4 at Southeast Missouri State University.

The hearing, hosted by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, will be from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and from 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University Center Ballroom, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

The meeting is the last in a series of nine hearings held across the state to gather information for a new coordinated plan for higher education in Missouri, the release stated.

The public hearing will include panel discussions about higher-education challenges in rural Missouri and preparing the state's next generation of teachers.

Panelists include administrators from several colleges, universities and school districts including Southeast, Mineral Area College, Three Rivers Community College, Cape Girardeau Public Schools and Scott Country Central School District.

The public is invited to testify at the hearing. Public comments also can be posted on the Department of Higher Education's website at dhe.mo.gov/blueprintcomments.php.