Chris Lowery has a phrase he repeats often to describe his feelings about higher education in Indiana.
“I’m pleased,” he likes to say, “but not satisfied.”
That sentiment buoyed Lowery in his three years leading Indiana’s Commission for Higher Education, which governs the state’s public colleges and universities. Earlier this year, Lowery announced he’d step down in October, citing a recent health scare. Katie Jenner, the state’s secretary of education, will become commissioner in addition to her current role.
In 2022, the year Lowery was appointed to lead the commission, data showed just 53% of Indiana high school students went to college in 2020 — the lowest rate in a generation. Over the last three years, that rate has not improved.
Lowery implemented policies designed to help get Indiana students to college, including by automatically enrolling middle schoolers in 21st Century Scholars, a scholarship program for low-income students.
His time heading up the agency was also marked by several key pieces of higher education legislation from the state legislature’s Republican supermajority.
One law now requires public universities to submit the number of complaints students make against professors to the commission annually. Another policy requires public universities to get approval from the commission to continue degree programs that fall below a certain enrollment threshold.
Still, Lowery is as passionate about education as he’s ever been.
“We should be hopeful when we think about higher education,” said Lowery, “because of all the opportunities it brings to people.”
Mirror Indy sat down with Lowery during his last few weeks on the job to discuss his time as commissioner, the state of higher education in Indiana and what’s next. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
On the college-going rate
The state is moving in a direction where leaders really want to expand options after high school. I’m curious what you think about that.
I think all of the options have to be in front of a student and his or her family. You know, the bottom line for me is, our society is going to require — does require — something beyond a high school diploma.
We see that roughly 80% of students, young adults, families, say there is real value to going on to do something beyond high school. That said, I think we still have to keep pressing on students and individuals to attain not just a piece of paper, but additional knowledge.
The other source of data that we look at is just inarguable, that when you look at four levels of education, these various variables improve. Those variables are: less than a high school diploma, a high school diploma, some college or an associate degree or some kind of training, and then a bachelor’s degree and higher.
We see across these four economic data points and these four social data points that with each one of those progressions, improvements are clear. They’re really strong. When you go up that ladder of attainment, the unemployment rate improves. Each time you go up this progression, it scales, and each time there’s improvement.
If we can help someone move from having no diploma to a high school diploma or high school equivalency, that’s a victory. We see the good work that Goodwill and the Excel Center and others are doing to that end.
The very measurable aspects around the quality of life will improve. We need to have all of that occur to improve individuals’ lives.
On state higher ed policy
The past 3 ½ years have been marked by a lot of change for the commission, for the state, and then most recently, for the country regarding higher education. How do you feel about the way that the commission’s role has changed based on Indiana laws specifically?
How do I feel about the additional responsibilities and duties and roles coming to the commission? I will tell you it’s a source of pride for me and the people who work here. The legislature and governors have continued to say, ‘This is an effective agency of professionals who, when tasked with the job at hand, irrespective of the direction from which it’s coming, will implement with fidelity.’ And we’ll do it trying to not only comply with something but honor the people in the process with whom we’re supposed to do it. I work for students, and I also realize I work for the taxpayer.
The thing I think I have the most pride in — and I’m really cautious about this, because I hate to ever think that this sounds paternalistic — but I see the degree to which this agency has been entrusted. This agency oversees nearly half a billion dollars in need-based financial aid, and does it with not just the accountability that ought to be there, but with such great care.
A lot of people have expressed concern about an increased politicization of higher ed in Indiana. I wonder if you think that’s affected the commission in terms of taking on these additional roles, and what you think about that perception in general.
To the degree the commission has been affected, we started implementing some really serious operational constructs, starting about three years ago. I think it’s really benefited us. Whether it’s something that has been more controversial, or something that’s been less controversial, we have been able to manage as an agency much more effectively.
How do we decide we’re going to approach the work that’s going on? How do we take it and go, look, this is our role. How do we do it with fidelity? How do we do it as well as we can on behalf of the Hoosiers who we work for?
On ‘blurring the lines’ between higher ed and K-12 education
I’m curious how you think combining K-12 education and higher education under the same leader will go as someone who has done this job. How will it shift the direction of post-secondary education in Indiana?
I think it’s just a grand opportunity to say, ‘How do we make this even more effective?’ Katie Jenner has been a friend and a partner for much longer than we have been in these roles. If there’s anybody that’s got any more energy and drive than Katie Jenner, introduce me to him or her.
From a perspective of my own career and work, it all just fits together. And the better we can make it work, the better we will absolutely serve Hoosier students and employers and our whole state.
On what’s next
What are you excited for about your next chapter?
I’m gonna get to spend more time with our granddaughter, Madeline, who just turned 3 two weeks ago, and her older sister, Eloise, who will turn 6. That’s chief among those things.
I’ve got other things I’m going to do. I’m going to finally write more. I love to write.
There are some things I’ll stay involved in that I feel really passionately about — some organizations and boards that I serve on. I’m going to lead the United Way campaign here in 2026, so I won’t be disappearing.
And then, actually, I’m going to spend a lot more time with my best friend. We met 43 years ago this fall at what is now called the O’Neill School at IU Bloomington, interviewing for an internship at the state Senate. So, hopefully hanging out and traveling more with Jerilyn.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus. Contact Claire by email claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org, on most social media @clairerafford or on Signal 317-759-0429.
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