Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) Company Profile

Background

The Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) is a national nonprofit organization that unites corporate and higher education leaders to address emerging workforce needs. Its mission is to build a resilient and skilled workforce that drives innovation, fuels economic growth, and empowers individuals to thrive in meaningful careers. BHEF focuses on creating inclusive pathways that align educational outcomes with industry demands, thereby enhancing economic mobility and competitiveness.

Key Strategic Focus

BHEF's strategic objectives include:

• Skill and Credential Alignment: Increasing the number of learners with high-value skills and credentials that meet employer needs, with a focus on areas like artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

• Work-Integrated Learning Models: Expanding access to models that connect and prepare diverse talent through practical experience.

• Scaling Best Practices: Implementing national best practices within regional networks to address local workforce challenges.

These initiatives aim to improve career and academic outcomes, develop responsive educational pathways, and foster diverse talent pipelines.

Financials and Funding

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BHEF's financial support comes from contributions, program services, and investments. In the fiscal year ending September 2023, BHEF reported:

• Revenue: $2,265,691

• Expenses: $2,837,937

• Net Assets: $936,711

Contributions accounted for 55% of total revenue, while program services contributed 44.8%.

Leadership Team

BHEF's leadership comprises distinguished individuals from both corporate and academic sectors:

• Laura K. Ipsen: President and CEO of Ellucian; Chair of BHEF Board of Directors.

• Jeffrey D. Armstrong: President of California Polytechnic State University; Vice Chair of BHEF Board of Directors.

• Kristen Fox: CEO of BHEF.

The board also includes leaders from institutions such as Northeastern University, Georgetown University, and companies like Google and Accenture.

Leadership Changes

In August 2024, BHEF announced new board leadership:

• Laura Ipsen: Appointed as Chair.

• Jeffrey D. Armstrong: Appointed as Vice Chair.

Additionally, new board members include Jae Lynn Akin (State Farm), Terrence Cheng (Connecticut State Colleges and Universities), and Christopher Reber (Hudson County Community College).

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The landscape of business and higher education collaboration is evolving, with a growing emphasis on aligning educational outcomes with industry needs. Organizations in this space focus on accreditation, policy analysis, and fostering partnerships to enhance workforce readiness.

Competitor Analysis

• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): Provides accreditation services to business programs emphasizing teaching and learning. As of August 2010, ACBSP had over 8,000 individual members and 828 member educational institutions.

• European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD): An international association offering accreditation and a forum for networking in management development. EFMD operates the EQUIS accreditation system and has over 890 member organizations in 88 countries.

• Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB): A U.S.-based nonprofit serving approximately 2,000 colleges and universities, providing research and consulting services to support higher education governance.

• National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB): Based in the UK, NCUB develops and supports collaboration between universities and businesses to enhance workforce development.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

BHEF collaborates with various organizations to strengthen its initiatives:

• Strada Education Foundation and Ellucian: Supported BHEF's inaugural State of Skills and Partnership Research Study, emphasizing the role of business-higher education partnerships in workforce readiness.

• Connecticut's Office of Workforce Strategy: Partnered with BHEF to create the Tech Talent Accelerator, developing tailored credentials in high-demand technology fields.

Operational Insights

BHEF differentiates itself through its focus on creating inclusive, industry-aligned educational pathways. By leveraging its network of corporate and academic leaders, BHEF develops responsive and replicable credentials and pathways that prepare a diverse workforce with critical skills.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, BHEF aims to:

• Expand Skill and Credential Alignment: Focus on emerging areas like artificial intelligence to meet evolving employer needs.

• Enhance Work-Integrated Learning: Increase access to models that provide practical experience, preparing talent for the workforce.

• Scale Best Practices: Implement successful models within regional networks to address local workforce challenges effectively.

These initiatives position BHEF to continue driving innovation and inclusive economic growth through strong collaborations between business and higher education.