The book is a primer for professionals working on higher education policy and for those who are studying postsecondary public policy. It constitutes a ready reference to fill knowledge gaps and as an aid in mastering the nuances of our US governmental systems with pertinent higher education examples that highlight the various roles and responsibilities of the state government, the federal government, and the nongovernmental agencies play in developing postsecondary public policy.It provides policy staffers and educational policymakers and scholars with an explanation of how the public policy process works and how government offices and agencies function along side of the institutions to shape postsecondary public policy.For large institutions who hire their own staff to handle state and federal government relations, this text will provide ample resources and knowledge to allow them to increase their role in the policy making process.For students of higher education this book is a foundational text in understanding postsecondary public policy.With contributions by: Cheryl Blanco, WICHE; and David Wright and Hans L Orange of SHEEO"