Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the membership of his higher education strategic plan steering committee. The panel is to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the future of Colorado’s 27 public colleges and universities.

“Higher-ed is without question one of the most important keys to our economic recovery and our future,” Ritter said. “This steering committee will address the major challenges facing Colorado’s higher education systems and create a blueprint to ensure our colleges and universities are accessible, affordable, accountable and of the highest quality for decades to come.”

Jim Lyons and Dick Monfort were appointed the committee’s co-chairs by Ritter last month. Monfort spent 20 years in the cattle business, is a vice chairman of the Colorado Rockies and sits on the University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees. Lyons is a co-chair of the Governor’s Jobs Cabinet and a former trustee for UNC and Regis University.

The additional members announced today are:

• Ray Baker, former chair of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education
• John Bliss, former vice president of budget and finance for the University of Colorado System
• Terry Farina, former member of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education
• Russ George, executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation and former state lawmaker
• Theresa Pena, member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education
• Jim Polsfut, current chair of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education
• Meg Porfido, member of the Colorado Community College System board
• Jane Rawlings, assistant publisher of the Pueblo Chieftain
• Alan Salazar, senior policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Mark Udall
• Greg Stevinson, member of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education

Rico Munn, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and Don Elliman, the state’s chief operating officer, will serve as ex-officio members.

The Governor has charged the steering committee with:

• Defining state higher educational needs and examining institutional missions;
• Reviewing the governance and structure of the system of higher education;
• Addressing higher education funding; and
• Increasing and improving student access and success.

The committee will develop a master plan and submit it along with recommendations to the Governor, Colorado Commission on Higher Education and the legislature by the end of the year.

The committee will hold its first meeting Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m. at the Colorado Department of Higher Education, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1600.