Higher Education Resources from Higher Learning Advocates
Learn from India Heckstall, Program Associate at Higher Learning Advocates, as she provides a clear understanding of states’ higher education profile and what that means when it comes to an institution or states' higher education priorities. She will also provide information on:
1. The state profiles and explain how states and institutions of higher education could use their state profile to help solidify an equity lens
2. The importance of using an equity lens and the role states can play when it comes to equity, higher education, and the workforce
3. Ensure states understand their post secondary profiles and how it relates to their state’s attainment goals
4. How states can use the state profiles for effective advocacy
Program Associate, Policy & Communications at Higher Learning Advocates
India works closely with the policy and communications teams where she assists with crafting the policy agenda through researching and monitoring legislation, conducts outreach to advocates and partners working in higher education policy, and creates digital media content to expand the organization’s reach. India became interested in higher education policy during her freshman year of college when state budget cuts resulted in some of today’s students losing state grants and scholarships to pay for postsecondary expenses. Throughout her academic journey, India has studied the racial disparities that exist in K-12 and higher education.
Prior to joining Higher Learning Advocates, interned with the Policy Research Team at the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) and served as an intern to North Carolina Congressman G.K. Butterfield. She also served as a program coordinator at AccessLex Institute where she co-authored a research brief on access to legal education. In addition to her work with Higher Learning Advocates, India serves as co-chair of the Education Task Force for Women in Government Relations and a facilitator for the Elect Her program with Running Start. India holds a master’s degree in public policy from American University and a B.A. in political science from Campbell University.
During her spare time, India enjoys listening to podcasts, traveling, and trying different cuisines.
Follow India on Twitter at @IndiaHeckstall.