Midwestern Higher Education Compact honors three regional leaders at Dole Institute ceremony

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MEC) honored three longtime contributors to regional higher education at a ceremony at the Dole Institute of Politics, recognizing achievements in technology leadership, technical college governance and compact legal and procurement work.

Dirk Huggett, assistant CIO for administration with the North Dakota University System, received an outstanding service award for his work leading MEC’s technology community. Presenters noted Huggett’s involvement since 2015, his elevation to the technology executive committee in 2018 and his service as committee chair since 2022, and credited him with guiding publications on IT challenges, advancing procurement processes and securing cost‑saving solutions for member institutions. "Thank you so much," Huggett said on accepting the award.

Morna Foy was recognized for a 35‑year career in public higher education and for her leadership as president of the Wisconsin Technical College System, a role she held after joining WTCS in 1998 and becoming president in 2012. Presenters highlighted her work expanding dual‑enrollment pathways, stackable credentials and partnerships with employers and philanthropies that aimed to improve student outcomes. Foy acknowledged the recognition and accepted thanks from the audience.

Rob Trimbath received the Philip L. Sorokin award, named for MEC’s founding advisor, which honors exemplary leadership and efforts to build regional partnerships and MEC programs. Presenters credited Trimbath with handling MEC’s legal matters, overseeing requests for proposals and master agreements, acting as a primary liaison with state attorneys general and procurement offices, and supporting governance work on behalf of member institutions. In his acceptance remarks Trimbath said the award was "special to me," recalled working with Philip Sorokin on compact legislation and described being surprised by his nomination after a call from Representative Ballard.

Speakers also recognized Barbara (named in remarks as the longest‑serving state representative in Kansas and a senior associate director at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics) for her leadership within MEC; presenters noted she has represented Kansas since 2005, served as vice chair in November 2022 and became acting chair on Aug. 1, 2023. The event included a brief guest recognition segment naming visiting higher‑education leaders and former officials from the region.

Organizers provided a commemorative book to each honoree and invited state delegations forward for photographs. The meeting concluded with a reminder that MEC’s next gathering will be in Overland Park at the Marriott. The ceremony celebrated volunteers and staff who have worked to advance collaboration, procurement efficiency and student success across MEC’s 12 member states.