Tim Powers serves as vice president for government relations and policy development at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), where he leads the development and execution of the association’s federal policy and advocacy strategy on behalf of private, nonprofit colleges and universities nationwide. Working closely with NAICU’s Board of Trustees, institutional presidents, state associations, and secretariat members, Powers directs a broad and results-oriented agenda spanning federal regulations, student financial aid, tax policy, accountability, and institutional finance.
A nationally recognized higher education policy leader, Powers brings nearly two decades of experience shaping legislative and regulatory outcomes affecting independent higher education. He is widely respected for translating complex policy proposals into actionable strategies for institutional leaders, and for building bipartisan and multilateral coalitions that elevate the sector’s voice on Capitol Hill and within the executive branch.