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2117476190DA68DA87258C1B0066B407 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SMART ACT PRESENTATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION
Date Jan 23, 2025      
Location Old State Library



SMART Act Presentation from the Department of Higher Education - Committee Discussion Only
11:41:49 AM  
Dr. Angie Paccione,
Executive Director, began her presentation, which can be found as Attachment
B. She gave an overview of the Department of Higher Education and their
goals for the year as well as their budget needs.
11:43:00 AM  
Jen Walmer, Chair,
Colorado Commission on Higher Education, spoke about the department's strategic
plan.
11:56:56 AM  
Director Paccione
gave updates on bills passed in the previous legislative session and how
they have been implemented by the department.
12:03:14 PM  

Members of the department answered questions from members of the committee.
12:27:21 PM  
Members of the department
continued to answer questions from members of the committee.
12:27:48 PM  
Dr. Sophia Laderman,
Chief Policy and Research Officer, spoke about the department's legislative
agenda, which includes requests on legislation pertaining to transferring
credits, increasing ROI through work-based learning opportunities, improving
postsecondary education incentive programs, and higher education statute
alignment and technical changes. She discussed cybersecurity and IT recovery.
Dr. Paccione reviewed the department's FY 2025-26 budget request and stimulus
funding implementation.
12:53:57 PM  
Dr. Tricia Johnson, Deputy Executive Director of the department, discussed Care Forward Colorado and Career Advance Colorado. Dr. Gillian McKnight Tutein, Chief Education Equity Officer, spoke about the department's higher education equity framework as well as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts. Dr. Cynthia Armendariz, Managing Director of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI), provided an overview of COSI. Carl Einhaus, Chief Student Success and Academic Affairs Officer, spoke about Colorado GEAR UP and provided data on students with disabilities in higher education as required by statute.






The effective date for bills enacted without a safety clause is August 6, 2025, if the General Assembly adjourns sine die on May 7, 2025 (unless otherwise specified). Details

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