Research Director Appointed to College Affordability Commission

The Mitchell Institute’s Research Director, Lisa Plimpton, was appointed today by Mark Eves, Speaker of the State of Maine House of Representatives, to the Commission to Study College Affordability and College Completion. The Commission was created by legislation passed on April 29. “College affordability is a critical issue facing our state, and it is an area where state policy and investments can make a huge impact. Reading hundreds of scholarship applications each year since 2000, I have been struck by the rate of growth in unmet financial need for college. I am thrilled that the legislature decided to study the best ways to keep financial barriers from preventing Mainers from going to college, and also to support more Mainers in completing college degrees. It is an honor to participate in this important work.”

Lisa serves on the Commission with state legislators, representatives of the Finance Authority of Maine, the Maine Community College System, the University of Maine System, and private colleges, among others. The Commission will begin its work on August 5th.