Building Community Serving Our Members
CIC strengthens independent colleges and universities and supports campus leaders on current and pressing priorities in higher education.
-
2026 Institute for Chief Academic Officers
This annually held meeting brings chief academic officers of independent colleges and universities together, and includes special workshops for new CAOs and experienced CAOs. This year's Institute will be jointly held with chief advancement, enrollment, financial, and marketing communication officers.Register Now -
2026 Workshops for Department and Division Chairs
The 2026 Workshops for Department and Division Chairs will focus on effective strategies to develop leadership skills and an institution-wide vision in the context of uncertainty and change.Read More -
New Presidents Resources
Campus leadership support and development is a key CIC priority. This page accumulates a growing list of resources primarily intended for first-time presidents of a CIC type college and university.Read More -
CIC Solution Center
An online platform connecting you to companies and consultants dedicated to the independent higher education sector, free of charge.Read More -
Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP)
CIC–TEP is a network of CIC member colleges and universities that are willing to accept as students, tuition-free, full-time employees and their family members. Nearly 440 colleges and universities from 47 states and seven countries are participating.Read More -
CIC Member Directory
Explore a map and search a listing of CIC, TEP, and NetVUE members.Read More
ABOUT CIC
What is an Independent College?
Simply defined, “independent” institutions are governed by boards of private citizens and operate independent of government control. They are nonprofit organizations supported primarily by tuition revenue, philanthropic gifts, and grants from foundations.
Learn More
Belong: An Inclusive Learning Community
Belong is a network of CIC member colleges and universities dedicated to making their campuses more welcoming and inclusive. Designed in partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), Belong offers a suite of professional development resources for faculty and staff to support student belonging in class and campus-wide.
Belong works in concert with your campus’s distinctive mission and values, equipping faculty and staff with evidence-based skills and knowledge that increase student belonging and advance campus retention efforts.
FAST FACTS
CIC Shows Strength in Numbers
Insights, News, & Research
-
36 Higher Ed Leaders Selected for 2026–27 Executive Leadership Academy
The prestigious Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) kicks off today to prepare seasoned leaders for their next senior administrative role in higher education. The first of two in-person seminars in the yearlong program runs June 16–17 in Washington, DC, and will be led by current and former college presidents along with experts in critical areas pertinent to higher education.Read More -
Pathways to Completion: Ohio Consortium for Transfer Pathways to the Liberal Arts
As a champion for the transformational power of a liberal arts education, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) has long aimed to make independent colleges and universities accessible and welcoming for all students, including community college students who wish to transfer to complete a baccalaureate degree. Following the launch of a successful transfer project in […]Read More -
2026 Workshops for Department and Division Chairs
The 2026 Workshops for Department and Division Chairs will focus on effective strategies to develop leadership skills and an institution-wide vision in the context of uncertainty and change.Read More -
CIC Establishes Sixth Membership Category for Graduate Members
The CIC members in attendance at the Annual Business Meeting on January 7, 2026, voted to add a sixth CIC membership category for Graduate Members.Read More
Upcoming Events
-
Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission 2026–2027
The Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission program is designed for senior leaders at CIC member schools to explore their potential calling to serve as a college or university president. The program is designed to help participants explore their vocational calling, as well as examine what types of institutional missions they might best serve. -
Faculty Leadership Academy
The Faculty Leadership Academy is designed to support faculty members at CIC member colleges and universities who aspire to assume leadership roles in higher education—particularly those who have demonstrated a commitment to inclusive leadership. -
NetVUE Big Read Webinar: An Itinerary of Hope for Higher Education
Back to NetVUE Events Please join us for a 60-minute conversation with Norman Wirzba to launch the 2026-2027 Big Read. In this webinar, we will hear from Wirzba as he reflects onLove’s Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of Crisis.During the webinar, he will explore major themes from the book and the implications for creative and hopeful approaches to vocational discernment and development. We will […]
