MICUA

MICUA

January 28, 2010

Governor Martin O’Malley has declared Feb. 11 “Maryland Independent Higher Education Day” in recognition of the vital role Maryland’s independent colleges and universities serve in the State, which boasts one of the best educated workforces in the nation. The Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA) will bring more than 200 college students and presidents from across the State to Annapolis on Feb. 11 for a day of briefings and special activities.

Student activities will begin with a briefing hosted by MICUA at 10:15 a.m. in the Historic Inns of Annapolis, Calvert House. Following the briefing, students will visit with State legislators and elected officials. The students will reconvene for a luncheon at 1:15 p.m. The Honorable Nancy Kopp, Maryland State Treasurer, will give the keynote address. Treasurer Kopp is the second woman ever to serve as Maryland’s State Treasurer and is the only woman serving Maryland in a Constitutional Office. In addition to her responsibilities for managing the Office of State Treasurer and its Divisions, the Treasurer holds positions of leadership on a number of key State finance planning committees. Treasurer Kopp served in the Maryland General Assembly from 1974 to 2002 where she held several leadership positions, including Deputy Majority Leader and Speaker Pro Tem. In addition, she chaired the House budget subcommittee that handled higher education matters.

Private colleges and universities have been educating young men and women in Maryland for 228 years, and Governor O’Malley has commended the independent institutions for their significant contributions to higher education and recognized the broad public benefits these institutions provide by contributing to social mobility, economic prosperity, workforce development, scientific discoveries, global competitiveness, civic participation, and service to community.

Twenty-first century jobs require high-level skills and education. Furthermore, the educational attainment of a population is directly linked to the economic prosperity of a state. Maryland is one of the most highly competitive states in the nation, ranking second in bachelor’s degree attainment. With a median family income of more than $84,000, Maryland ranks third nationally.

Maryland’s institutions of higher education, public and private, produce the knowledge and conduct the research underpinning the State’s economy. Every year, MICUA colleges and universities serve 63,000 students, award one third of all bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees conferred by a Maryland institution, and attract almost $1.6 billion in research grants. These activities contribute to Maryland’s quality of life and standard of living.