If the Midwest has been overlooked by the rest of the nation, we really can’t complain. Mostly, Midwesterners ignore the region themselves. No major university teaches its history or economy. Few books probe its plight or its heart. No regional magazine has made a serious attempt to reflect the reality of its life.

Until now. The Midwest, as a region, is finally getting some attention at home, with a scholarly association and two new magazines.

A recent study completed by the Center for Governmental Studies at NIU detailed community college student outcomes and economic impacts for the Illinois Community College system and each of the 39 community college districts in the state.

This conference focuses on the use of systems modeling techniques in managing the complex social and environmental problems related to food systems, natural systems, wildlife management, water, health, transportation, and education.

A delegation, led by Northern Illinois University President Douglas Baker, to represent the Northern Illinois Regional P-20 Network joined President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden at a White House College Opportunity Summit on December 4, 2014.

To solve today’s complex social problems, foundations need to shift from the prevailing model of strategic philanthropy that attempts to predict outcomes to an emergent model that better fits the realities of creating social change in a complex world.