LANSING -- Gov. Rick Snyder has re-appointed Schoolcraft College President Conway A. Jeffress to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.

The compact, founded in 1991, is one of four interstate compacts that contribute to the vitality of the Midwest by enhancing member states' ability to maximize higher education opportunity and performance through collaboration and resource sharing.

"These skilled and thoughtful individuals will work together with neighboring states to maximize educational opportunities for our young people while at the same time saving Michigan millions of dollars," Snyder said. Jeffress currently serves as chair of the Compact's Policy and Research Committee.  He will serve a four-year term expiring March 8, 2015.

Jeffress is also involved with the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA), including serving a term as chair of the association's President's Committee. Through the MCCA, Jeffress has taken a leadership role in raising the profile of community colleges among key leaders and policymakers. He has worked to protect funding for community colleges and has advocated for policy changes that would enable community colleges to provide bachelor’s degrees in disciplines where baccalaureate-level programs are needed for workforce development and economic growth.

His civic involvement includes the Galileo Leadership Consortium Board, Garden City Hospital Board of Directors, Lincoln Leadership Series Committee, Rotary Club of Livonia Board of Directors, and Walsh College Advisory Board.

Jeffress was named Schoolcraft College’s fourth president on July 1, 2001. Prior to that he had served Schoolcraft for 19 years as a vice president, including 13 as vice president for instruction and six as vice president for instruction and student services. He came to Schoolcraft in 1982 from Pittsburgh, where he was vice president of strategic planning at the Community College of Allegheny County.

Jeffress earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington and Jefferson College, and a master’s in educational psychology and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Pittsburgh.