A. Hope Williams
President
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A. Hope Williams
President
Dr. Hope Williams joined NCICU in 1986 and has served as president since 1992. She is an advocate on state and federal public policy issues, represents independent higher education with other education sectors, seeks scholarship and program support for students and campuses, and fosters collaborative partnerships among campuses. She received her postsecondary degrees from Duke University, NCSU and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Steve Brooks
Senior Advisor
(Grant)
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Brooks, Steve
Steve Brooks serves NCICU as a senior advisor on a number of issues involving collaboration with other sectors of higher education in North Carolina. Prior to joining NCICU, Steve was executive director of the State Education Assistance Authority for nearly 18 years and, prior to that, was employed at two NCICU institutions – Louisburg College and Wake Forest University – for a combined 20 years. Steve received his undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Lexie Daniels
Associate Director
Independent College Fund of North Carolina & Assistant Director of Finance
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Daniels, Lexie
Lexie Daniels joined NCICU in March of 2022 and serves as the Assistant Director of the Independent College Fund of North Carolina. Prior to joining NCICU, Lexie worked both in corporate planning, as well as with North Carolina Public Schools. As the Assistant Director of ICFNC she coordinates scholarship administration to students, accounts for annual scholarship donations, and helps to manage donor relations. Lexie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from William Peace University.
Ai’Nyiah Harriel
John M. Belk Impact Fellow
Meredith College
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Harriel, Ai’Nyiah
Ai’Nyiah Harriel is a senior at Meredith College, double majoring in Social Work and Psychology. She is passionate about expanding equitable access to education and supporting youth in underserved communities. Her experiences in tutoring, after-school programs, and community outreach have deepened her commitment to helping students achieve their educational goals. As a John M. Belk Impact Fellow, she has been placed with North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, where she looks forward to gaining hands-on experience in advancing college access and student success, as well as expanding her knowledge of policies that influence access to education.
Vicki Humphreys
Director of Information Technology
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Humphreys, Vicki
Vicki joins NCICU from North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction where she served in a variety of increasingly responsible IT roles since 2008. Her most recent position was IT Team Lead, ensuring uninterrupted operational system availability for the critical statewide application for the Exception Children Division. In addition to maintaining NCICU’s IT needs and representing NCICU on the development of the State Longitudinal Data System, Vicki works with IT directors on our 36 campuses. Vicki earned a B.S. in Computer Science from University of Central Texas with a concentration in Psychology, an A.A.S in Computer Programming and Analysis from Central Texas College, and is PMP certified.
Colleen Kinser
Director
Independent College Fund of North Carolina
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Kinser, Colleen
Colleen Kinser joined the Independent College Fund in July 2009 as Associate Director of ICFNC. She managed the gift-tracking process, donor database and fundraising reporting and worked extensively with financial aid directors. Kinser took on the role of director of ICFNC in May 2017. As director, she provides stewardship for current donors, cultivates new donors, as well as researches and writes grant proposals. Prior to working at NCICU, she worked in the Institutional Advancement office at Meredith College for 4 years. Colleen earned both her B.A. and MBA at Meredith College.
Phil Kirk
Advisor
Community Relations (Part-Time/Consultant)
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Kirk, Phil
Phil Kirk serves as NCICU’s senior advisor on community relations, including business, government and public relations. Phil was President/CEO of North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry (NCCBI), the state chamber of commerce, and was Publisher of the North Carolina Magazine for 16 years. He was Chief of Staff for Governors Holshouser and Martin, as well as for U.S. Senator Jim Broyhill; and twice served as Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Resources. A graduate of Catawba College, Phil also served for 20 years on the Meredith College Board of Trustees.
Rebecca Leggett
Director of Programs and Special Assistant to the President
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Leggett, Rebecca
Rebecca Leggett joined NCICU in 2015 after a lengthy career in independent higher education at William Peace University where she served most recently as Director of Visitor Services. Previously, she also served in an operations role in areas such as purchasing, accounts payable, telecommunications and postal services. She holds a B.A. degree in English from Gardner-Webb University and has conducted graduate study in American Literature.
Carolyn (Carrie) Mata
Director of Research
(Grant)
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Mata, Carolyn (Carrie)
Carolyn Mata previously worked with our sister organization, the Georgia Independent College Association, from 2010 until 2018 and has been with NCICU since 2016. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from The University of Central Florida, an M.Ed. in Education from Rollins College, and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Central Florida. In addition, she holds master’s and PhD degrees in Sociology from Florida State University. In her role as Director of Research, Dr. Mata is responsible for keeping abreast of state and national studies on higher education and providing statistical and analytical support for a variety of research projects to emphasize the importance and value of independent education. She also is the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) state coordinator for NCICU’s 36 institutions. She currently serves as a national IPEDS Educator.
Alexis A. Thompson
Administrative Coordinator
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Thompson, Alexis A.
Alexis A. Thompson joined NCICU in August 2025 as the Administrative Coordinator. Prior to this role, she worked in local government, student engagement, and served as a Special Projects Intern at NCICU, where she collaborated with student government presidents from NCICU institutions to coordinate workshops and helped facilitate the organization’s annual meeting. In her current position, Alexis continues to support student government association (SGA) presidents, assists NCICU staff with program coordination, and works directly with NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at North Carolina State University, advancing her commitment to public service and institutional support. Alexis brings a strong passion for advocacy, equity, and education to her work, both within the office and in the broader community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Campbell University.
Tom West
Vice President for Government Relations and General Counsel
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West, Tom
Tom West joined NCICU in November 2014 and serves as vice president for government relations and general counsel. Prior to joining NCICU, Tom was a partner at Poyner Spruill LLP for over 17 years and, prior to that, served North Carolina as an administrative law judge for 11 years. Tom received his undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and his law degree from Duke Law School.
Demarcus Williams
Director of Communications
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Williams, Demarcus
Demarcus Williams joined NCICU in April 2024 and serves as the Director of Communications. As Director of Communications, Demarcus serves as NCICU’s chief marketing and communications officer, overseeing a comprehensive program that supports the organization’s goals and increases awareness of the independent sector of NC higher education while also working closely with communications staff at NCICU’s 36 colleges and universities. Outside his work with NCICU, Demarcus serves as the Associate Vice President of Global Marketing & Communications at Saint Augustine’s University. Demarcus holds a Bachelor of Graphic Design from NC State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Rocky Yearwood
Project Manager. Multiple Employer Plan (Part-Time/Consultant)
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Yearwood, Rocky
Rocky joins NCICU as Project Manager for the implementation of the Multiple Employer Plan (“MEP”). This represents a single retirement plan with multiple “adopting employers” (the member schools of NCICU that choose to participate). He retired as Chief Financial Officer from William Peace University in 2022. Previously, Rocky was a CFO in educational institutions in Florida. He continues to teach education finance as an adjunct professor. He is a CPA and has an MBA degree.