Updates from State Councils

State Councils at the 2024 Presidents Institute

State Councils are consortia of private colleges and universities with the mission of advancing and strengthening their member institutions. Executives from ten state council organizations participated in CIC’s 2024 Presidents Institute. This year’s President Institute featured the inaugural state council-led concurrent session, “Cultivating Policymakers as Major Donors.” This session delved into actionable strategies for fostering relationships with policymakers at local, state, and federal levels. Additionally, the event featured a thought-provoking discussion session, “Talent for Ohio,” focusing on enhancing student career readiness and opportunities for executives to meet with their member presidents. The Institute provided an invaluable platform for sharing insights and fostering collaboration among leaders in higher education.

State Councils executives pose after the State Councils Breakfast at the 2024 Presidents Institute. From left: Mason Dyer, president of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU); Terri Standish-Kuon, president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Washington; Dottie King, president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI); April Arnold, executive director of Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI); Eric Fulcomer, president of Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU); Bill Spiker, president of Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC); Elizabeth Puthoff, president of Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT); Tom Foley, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP); and Treva Haugaard, executive director of the Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation (CINC).
“Cultivating Policymakers as Major Donors” was the first concurrent session led by State Council executives at a Presidents Institute. From left: Stanton F. McNeely, president of the University of Holy Cross (LA) and moderator; Hope Williams, president of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU); Mason Dyer, president of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU); and Terri Standish-Kuon, president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Washington.

Eight State Council Organizations Receive First Opportunity Partners Grant

Eight State Council organizations in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin have each been awarded a $20,000 grant along with additional funds for overhead costs. This grant is part of CIC’s 2023–2024 First Opportunity Partners (FOP) grant program, generously provided by the UPS Foundation. The funds are designated to support programs and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the respective State Council organizations.

Council of Independent Colleges