January 16, 2025
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is pleased to announce the election of six members to the Board of Directors, and two existing directors named to new roles on the Executive Committee of the Board.
Harry E. Dumay, president of Elms College (MA), was sworn in as Chair during the annual board meeting held during the 2025 Presidents Institute that took place January 4–7 in San Antonio, Texas. Dumay, who has served on the Board of Directors since 2022, was formerly Vice Chair for Programs and Member Services on the Executive Committee. He succeeds Jeff Abernathy, who served on the Board of Directors since 2022 and is the former president of Alma College (MI).
Lori S. White, president of DePauw University (IN), has assumed the role of Vice Chair for Programs on the Executive Committee to oversee CIC’s member programs, projects, and services. White has served on the Board of Directors since 2023. The term of service in these roles for both White and Dumay extends through January 2026.
“I am delighted that the CIC Board represents the diversity of our membership in terms of expertise, experience, and institutional mission,” said President Marjorie Hass. “I am excited to expand our Board with new members who will bring informed perspectives and insights to our work. Together, we will accomplish a great deal to make a positive impact on the independent higher education sector.”
The Board of Directors generally has power 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.
Six new members were elected to the Board:
Term ending in January 2026
Sandra J. Doran, president of Bay Path University (MA)
Suzanne M. Rivera, president of Macalester College (MN)
Term ending in January 2028
Dale G. Caldwell, president of Centenary University (NJ)
Wesley R. Fugate, president of Wilson College (PA)
Fernando León García, president of CETYS University (Mexico)
Susana Rivera-Mills, president of Aurora University (IL)
See the complete roster for the Board of Directors on the CIC website.
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 for 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.
About CIC
The Council of 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 works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society. Founded in 1956, CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.