January 12, 2026
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is pleased to announce the election of seven members to the Board of Directors, and four existing directors named to new roles on the Executive Committee of the Board. The election took place during annual board meeting held during the 2026 Presidents Institute on January 4–7 in Orlando, Florida.
Term Ending in January 2028
La Jerne T. Cornish, president of Ithaca College (NY), has assumed the role of Vice Chair for Networks and Partnerships. Cornish has served on the Board of Directors since 2024. Harring succeeds Charles W. Pollard, president of John Brown University (AR).
Kathleen E. Harring, president of Muhlenberg College (PA), was elected Secretary and Vice Chair for Member Cultivation and Engagement. Harring, who has served on the Board of Directors since 2024, succeeds Katie Conboy, president of Saint Mary’s College (IN).
Summer J. McGee, president of Lenoir-Rhyne University (NC), has assumed the role of Vice Chair for Communications. McGee has served on the Board of Directors since 2024. McGee succeeds Andrea E. Chapdelaine, president of Connecticut College.
Paul R. Taylor, president of Saint Vincent College (PA), has assumed the role of Treasurer. Taylor, who has served on the Board of Directors since 2024, succeeds Elizabeth MacLeod Walls, president of Washington & Jefferson College (PA).
Seven new members were elected to the Board:
Term Ending in January 2027
Hilary L. Link, president of Drew University (NJ)
Richanne C. Mankey, president of Defiance College (OH)
Said Sewell, president of Morris College (SC)
Matthew P. vandenBerg, president of Ohio Wesleyan University (OH)
Term Ending in January 2029
Mason Dyer, president of Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities
Damián J. Fernández, president of Warren Wilson College (NC)
Michael D. Hammond, president of Gordon College (MA)
See the complete roster for the Board of Directors on the CIC website.
“The CIC Board benefits tremendously from the wide-ranging expertise and diverse missions represented by our member institutions,” said President Marjorie Hass. “I am pleased to add new voices to our leadership team—voices that will contribute fresh thinking and broaden our collective impact. Together, we are poised to advance important initiatives that will benefit the entire independent higher education community.”
The Board consists of up to 38 members, including a maximum of 26 chief executive officers from member colleges and universities and a maximum of 12 additional members drawn principally from senior executive ranks of American business corporations and philanthropies. Two positions on the Board will normally be reserved from individuals with experience in State Councils as chief executives, a member president, or corporate members.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors consists of the chair, past chair, the treasurer, the chairs of standing committees, and Hass as ex officio and current president of the Council. Officers have full voting privileges as Board members and are considered the senior officers of the Council. Barbara A. Farley, president of Illinois College, serves as past chair on the Executive Committee.
Board members typically serve a three-year term, after which a chief executive officer of a college or university must rotate off the Board for at least one year before becoming eligible for election to another term. Directors who are not college or university presidents may be reappointed for additional three-year terms.
The Board of Directors generally has powers to set policy, manage, and direct the affairs of the member organization led by Hass and a staff of approximately 30. The Board is self-perpetuating and elects each incoming class of new directors and officers. The Board seeks nominations for new directors from CIC Institutional and International Member college and university presidents, chief executives of State Councils, and other board members. The Board meets at least twice each year — one of these meetings is held every January in conjunction with the CIC Presidents Institute.
About CIC
The Council of the Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of more than 700 nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils of independent colleges, and other higher education affiliates, that work to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society. Founding in 1956, CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.