Peer Consultation Networks (PCNs) bring SHEEOs and their key staff together to address common state higher education policy needs and challenges. Drawing from and building on their collective experience, participants in each of the SHEEO Peer Consultation Networks listed below are able to engage in an extended “conversation,” aimed at action rather than reflection, about how states seek to address a particular area or concern of higher education policy. Where appropriate, in addition to supporting individual state actions, Peer Consultation Networks foster cross-state partnerships and build multi-state approaches that complement existing state-level initiatives sponsored by a variety of other organizations.

Participation in the Peer Consultation Networks is led by a state’s SHEEO, and may include senior agency staff in Academic Affairs, Finance, Government Relations, information systems and research, or other areas. Peer Consultation Networks are co-chaired by participating state SHEEOs and supported by staff from the SHEEO organization. Participation is open to all SHEEO members; while each network page lists current state participants, all states are encouraged to join or make use of the work of any of these Networks at any time.

SHEEO Peer Consultation Networks enable states to:

1. Exchange questions, ideas and strategies; discuss current initiatives, accomplishments, and challenges; and build on this collective experience and perspective over time.
2. Contribute to and draw from a knowledge base of shared documents, web resources, best practices, new initiatives, research studies, and policy papers.
3. Explore courses of action or collective strategies to help states and SHEEOs accomplish their goals and participate more effectively in meeting national needs.
4. Work together and with the SHEEO organization as needed to develop strategies or proposals for external funding necessary to undertake additional activities or actions.

As a way to focus and facilitate the networks, SHEEO staff will:

• Develop listservs and other ways to enhance network communications.
• Solicit relevant activity from each network participating state, and make that information accessible to other network participants.
• Organize conference calls, webinars, and other group interaction in response to participant needs and interests.
• Create opportunities for deeper engagement through the development of workshops, web resources, or conference sessions.