The state’s meaningful increase in support signals a renewed commitment to public education. Read the Op-Ed in New Hampshire Business Review by James W. Dean Jr., interim chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire and president of UNH and Mike Skelton, president and CEO of Business and Industry Association of NH.
University System of New Hampshire (USNH) graduates are critical to the state’s success.
Retain USNH college students
Funding will fortify and expand workforce partnerships and internships in the Monadnock, Lakes and North country regions in ways similar to the successful model at UNH with more than 600 partners.
USNH is the largest in-migrator of young future leaders to NH; 11,000+ current students.
Retain NH high school graduates
Funding will extend the five year tuition freeze and protect financial aid for NH students.
56% of college-going NH high school graduates leave NH.
With nearby states marshaling assets to secure our NH students, USNH needs additional financial resources to compete on price.
USNH is a good steward of public funds
NH has the nation’s lowest level of state funding for public higher education. However, USNH has maintained five years of flat tuition, despite rising costs, while providing more than $250 million in aid to NH students. On average, once financial aid has been applied, the cost for a New Hampshire resident to attend the University of New Hampshire, Keene State College and Plymouth State University is $10,200 per year, a cost which has decreased over five years.
USNH is a strong fiscal manager
In FY 2019-2022, USNH reduced operation expenses $50MM, including an 8.7% reduction in employee compensation. Moody’s investment service recently downgraded the public higher ed industry to negative due to risks and other factors. At the same time, USNH’s credit rating was upgraded. This means USNH stands out and will benefit from better borrowing opportunities.
Governor Sununu Budget Hearing Comments
President James W. Dean Jr.’s Reaction to Governor Sununu’s Budget Hearing Comments
The State’s Workforce Engine
USNH brings thousands of young people to NH each year, it is our collective responsibility to try to retain as many graduates as possible.
69,000
USNH graduates living in NH (LinkedIn)
2000+
NH employer partners collaborating on internships and hiring
2X
Higher likelihood of a nonresident graduate working in state after NH internship.
18,800
Class of 2012-2020 graduates working in NH in 2021 (NH Emp. Security)
Every other state’s talking about [the workforce] issue, and every other state is marshaling its resources and upping its game for how it’s going to address this issue.
Mike Skelton
President and CEO
Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire
Talent is universal, but opportunity is not. As public institutions, we provide opportunity. Talented kids need a shot, and we want to give them a shot.
James W. Dean Jr.
President of the University of NH
Interim Chancellor of the University system of NH
Business Roundtable
President James W. Dean Jr. of the University of New Hampshire, President Melinda Treadwell of Keene State College and President Donald Birx of Plymouth State University were joined by several New Hampshire business leaders for a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, January 31, about the important link between the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) institutions and the state’s businesses and economy. Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire (BIANH) President and CEO Mike Skelton facilitated the discussion, which took place at UNH-Manchester.
The USNH presidents and Skelton were joined by:
- Dean Kamen, founder, DEKA, FIRST and Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI)
- Anne Tyrol, chief nursing officer and senior VP of patient care services, Cheshire Medical Center, Dartmouth Health
- Ben Learned, human resources manager, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies
- Butch Locke, strategic operations director, BAE
- Joe Murray, vice president government relations and public affairs, Fidelity
Featured Articles
Dean and Skelton: State budget invests in New Hampshire’s future workforce
New Hampshire Business Review
June 21, 2023
Explore Media Coverage
NH Business: Enrollment at colleges and universities in New Hampshire
WMUR Manchester
March 12, 2023
Host Fred Kocher is joined by James Dean Jr. to discuss the latest enrollment trends and the current costs of higher education in New Hampshire.
NH Business: Funding for New Hampshire’s University System
WMUR Manchester
March 12, 2023
Host Fred Kocher is joined by James Dean Jr. to discuss potential university system funding and New Hampshire workforce needs
Business Leaders Make the Case for Increased Funding for University System of NH
Business NH Review
February 2, 2023
The University System of NH and the Business and Industry Association hosted a roundtable discussion on Tuesday with leaders from some of the state’s largest employers to underscore the critical role NH’s colleges and universities play in addressing the workforce shortage the state is facing.
Roundtable: College-business partnerships key to workforce development in NH
New Hampshire Business Review
February 1, 2023
The economically vital ties between businesses and the state’s colleges and universities statewide was the focus of a roundtable held Tuesday at the University of New Hampshire-Manchester.
Explore Press Releases
University System of New Hampshire Applauds Governor Sununu’s 2024-2025 Capital Investment Proposals
February 16, 2023
During his presentation to the House Finance Committee yesterday, Governor Chris Sununu outlined two one-time capital investment proposals for projects at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in Durham.
University System of New Hampshire Applauds Governor Sununu’s Budget Proposal
February 14, 2023
“Public higher education is critical to the state’s workforce, and we appreciate Governor Sununu’s support for our efforts to strengthen the talent pipeline. The proposed increase in the state appropriation will provide aid to help more New Hampshire students attend college in-state, and will allow the University System to expand internships and partnerships with employers to retain graduates in New Hampshire.”
February 1, 2023
President James W. Dean Jr. of the University of New Hampshire, President Melinda Treadwell of Keene State College and President Donald Birx of Plymouth State University were joined by several New Hampshire business leaders for a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, January 31, about the important link between the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) institutions and the state’s businesses and economy. Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire (BIANH) President and CEO Mike Skelton facilitated the discussion, which took place at UNH-Manchester.
