The relationship between higher education and governors and state government is explored in eight articles. Brief introductions are provided by Samuel K. Gove of the University of Illinois and Governor Lamar Alexander, who served as a National Governors' Association chairman. An overview of the 1985 Wingspread Conference, which focused on the relationship of U.S. governors to their higher education systems, is also presented. Titles and authors of the articles are as follows: "The States and Higher Education: Changes Ahead" (Clark Kerr); "Governors in Higher Education: A Partnership for the Future?" (Terry Sanford); "The Changing Role of the Governor in Higher Education" (William Winter); "Former Governors Look at Higher Education: Crucial Issues Facing Academe" (Richard A. Zollinger); "The Governors State-of-the-State Addresses: A Focus on Higher Education" (Eric B. Herzik); "Governors and Higher Education: Politics, Budgeting, and Policy Leadership" (Madeleine Wing Adler, Frederick S. Lane); "State Coordination and Governance of Higher Education: Implications for Governors" (Aims C. McGuinness, Jr.); and "Dimension of Leadership in Higher Education" (Stanley O. Ikenberry). (SW)