October 2021 – NCICU

2021-22 Administrative Group Meetings

NCICU campus administrators hold affinity group meetings throughout the year.

Academic Advising – Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Admissions Deans/Directors – December date TBD
Assessment Conference – Spring or Summer 2022
Assistants to the Presidents – Spring or Summer 2022
Chief Academic Officers – Thursday, October 14, 2021
Chief Financial Officers* – Wednesday & Thursday, October 27 & 28, 2021
Communications Officers & Staff – Tuesday & Wednesday, January 11 & 12, 2022
Development Officers & Staff – Tuesday & Wednesday, January 11 & 12, 2022
Financial Aid Directors – December date TBD
Human Resources Directors – Wednesday, October13, 2021
Institutional Research Directors – Thursday, October 21, 2021
Information Technology Directors – Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Library Deans/Directors – December date TBD
Non-Traditional/Online Learning Directors – Friday, October 15, 2021
Purchasing Administrators – Spring 2022
Registrars – Wednesday, December 1, 2021
SGA Presidents – Thursday, November 4, 2021
Student Affairs Directors – Wednesday, October 13, 2021

UPCOMING EVENTS

PREVIOUS EVENTS

2021 Counselors Virtual Tour of 36 Campuses In order to provide a safe and healthy experience for... July 7, 2021

16th Annual Assessment Conference – March 3 & 4, 2021 (virtual) Presented virtually Wednesday, March 3 (afternoon) & Thursday, March 4... March 13, 2021

NCICU Distributes $115,200 in UPS Scholarships

Posted on October 5, 2021October 19, 2021 by Caroline Korch

NCICU has received $115,200 and distributed UPS Scholarships to assist 36 students, one student attending each of the private colleges and universities in North Carolina. The scholarships were made possible by a grant through the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) from the UPS Educational Endowment which UPS directed in 1953 to private college students attending colleges in North Carolina.

“The Council of Independent Colleges has managed the UPS Endowment since 2010, continuing the role of providing a scholarship to each college in what are now all State Councils,” said NCICU president, Hope Williams. “The UPS scholarships provide crucial funds for students, assuring their access to a transformative college education.”

Nationally, CIC distributed more than $1.4 million in student scholarships through the UPS Endowment to make private colleges and universities more affordable and accessible to underserved students.

“The Council of Independent Colleges is proud to support nearly 450 low-income, first-generation, minority, and new American students in 26 states through the CIC/UPS Scholarships,” said Marjorie Hass, president of the Council of Independent Colleges. “Through our partnership with NCICU, these scholarships help individual students pursue their education at one of North Carolina’s superb independent colleges and universities.”

The UPS Scholarships Program has made a private college education possible for more than 21,000 low-income, first generation, and minority students and has had a transformative impact on individuals, families, and communities across the country.

About The UPS Foundation

Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. Founded in 1951, the UPS Foundation leads its global citizenship programs and is responsible for facilitating community involvement to local, national, and global communities. The foundation’s philanthropic approach centers on four focus areas: health & humanitarian relief, equity and economic empowerment, local engagement, and planet protection. To UPS, giving means combining employees’ skills, passion and time with the company’s logistics expertise, transportation assets, and charitable donations to make a measurable difference in society.

About the Council of Independent Colleges

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of 758 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. CIC is the major national organization that focuses on services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility. CIC also conducts the largest annual conferences of college and university presidents and of chief academic officers in the United States. Founded in 1956, CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.cic.edu.

ALL NEWS

NC Sheriffs’ Association Scholarship Recipients Announced

The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) have announced the recipients of a $2,000 scholarship provided by the Association who attend private colleges in North Carolina.

The recipients are:
Andrew Leggett, Barton College
Nathaniel Mahoney, Brevard College
Kaitlyn Damon, Campbell University
Daniel Harris, Catawba College
Calee Lance, Gardner-Webb University
Anna Wike, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Nicola Shelton, Mars Hill University
Isaiah Olive, University of Mount Olive
Zachary Scott, NC Wesleyan College
Alyssa Campbell, Pfeiffer, University

The NCSA created the Criminal Justice Scholarship Program to assist students who are dependents of law enforcement officials or who are studying in the criminal justice field and express an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. The scholarship is provided for the current academic year with the potential to be renewed.

“The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, on behalf of North Carolina’s 100 constitutionally elected sheriffs, is proud to partner with the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities to provide an annual college scholarship to one student in the criminal justice program at each of the independent colleges and universities that have such a program,” said NCSA president, Sheriff Ed McMahon of New Hanover County.

“NCICU is deeply appreciative of this outstanding support by the North Carolina Sheriffs Association to establish annual scholarships which will benefit students majoring in criminal justice,” said NCICU president, Hope Williams. “NCICU has worked closely with the Sheriffs Association on a number of law enforcement issues over the years and these scholarships expand and strengthen that important partnership.”

“Helping our future law-enforcement professionals with their education will benefit not only those students but it will also benefit the entire law enforcement profession as well as the citizens of our great state,” said McMahon.

“We have many students who look to their local Sheriff’s Office for employment upon graduation and these scholarships will encourage even more students to consider this service for their county and State,” Williams added.

January 4, 2022

NCICU Fall 2021 Newsletter

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December 8, 2021

Goodnight Foundation Supports NCICU’s Science of Reading Initiative

The Goodnight Educational Foundation has awarded North Carolina Independent College and Universities (NCICU) $1 million over two years to support the implementation of the Science of Reading initiative into the curriculum for teacher education students.

Last April, the General Assembly enacted legislation requiring Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to begin providing coursework in the Science of Reading which focuses on multiple aspects of phonics, spelling, and oral language/comprehension. With this grant, NCICU will establish a task force to assist the 31 private colleges and universities which have EPPs with implementation strategies.

“We recognize that reading and comprehension are keys to student achievement at all levels of education,” said NCICU president, Hope Williams, “and we are deeply appreciative of this critical support from the Goodnight Educational Foundation to support development and implementation of the Science of Reading curriculum at the 31 NCICU Educator Prep Programs.”

The NCICU task force will provide training in the “Science of Reading” for EPP faculty at each of the NCICU EPPs as well as for pre-service teacher candidates and recent graduates who are teaching in school districts served by our EPPs. The grant to NCICU will also fund summer workshops which will include local superintendents and principals along with EPP faculty. Individual EPPs will develop self-studies in the Science of Reading assisted by subgrants for curriculum re-design which will be available through the project.

Dr. Monica Campbell, professor of Education and coordinator of the Elementary Education Program at Lenoir-Rhyne University, and Dr. Mary Knight-McKenna, professor of Education and director of Master of Education at Elon University, will co-chair the Task Force. Dr. Patsy Pierce, EPP former faculty member at Meredith College, and Denise Adams, director of NCICU’s Digital Learning Initiative will manage the work of the task force on behalf of NCICU.

December 3, 2021

NCICU Receives Grant from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation

North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) has received a three-year grant totaling $240,000 from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation to establish a Faculty-Student STEM Mentoring Program. The program will seek to improve student retention and graduation rates among first generation college students, women, and students of color majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).

“Employer demand for STEM graduates has experienced a steady increase in the past 20 years,” said NCICU president, Hope Williams. “While North Carolina has a strong STEM workforce, it has been a challenge nationally to attract a diverse population in these fields. NCICU wants to help increase racial and gender diversity and believes this faculty-student mentor program can produce positive results.”

Twelve of North Carolina’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities will be invited to participate in the program, including the five historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), with at least 20 participants per campus. Components of the program will include mentor support, student scholarships, career workshops, guest speakers, and faculty and peer connections. Students will work in small groups with a peer mentor who is a junior or a senior, as well as with a faculty member. Professionals in STEM fields will be invited to share their experiences with participants and to become part of a network of mentors.

“NCICU’s 36 institutions are continuing to increase and expand offerings in STEM programs,” Williams said. “The smaller class sizes at private institutions can provide the additional support and mentoring to help students from underrepresented populations to thrive.”

“Providing mentors to students helps them build their confidence and enhances their learning” stated Marilyn Foote-Hudson executive director of the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation.

While this program is focused on North Carolina’s independent colleges, it will have a statewide impact and will support myFutureNC’s goal to ensure that by 2030, two million North Carolinians will have a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree.

About The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation
The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation is an independent self-funding 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting activities that help meet the educational and health needs of today’s society and future generations. Since its creation in 1986, the foundation has granted over $80 million to support North Carolina projects and programs that emphasize the understanding and application of science, health and education at all academic and professional levels. Visit us at NCGSKFoundation.org.

November 16, 2021

Independent College Fund Raises $2.3M

The Independent College Fund of North Carolina (ICFNC), a division of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) has raised $2.3 million in its 2020-21 fundraising campaign (May 2020-April 2021), according to director, Colleen Kinser.

The funds provided $611,284 in scholarship support to students at North Carolina’s 36 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. In addition, the ICFNC has seen an increase in the number of named scholarships that are available to North Carolina students based on specific criteria.

Those scholarships are:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC
Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund Scholarship
Broyhill Family Foundation Scholarship
Burlington Industries Foundation Scholarship
CIC/UPS Education Endowment Scholarship
Clancy & Theys Construction Co. Scholarship
Dominion NC Power Scholarship
ICFNC Advisory Board Corporate Scholarship
Jeff and Jan Stoddard Scholarship for Hope
North Carolina Sherriffs’ Association Criminal Justice Scholarship
Thomas & Ashley Varnadore Scholarship of Optimism in Future
Generations
Truist Foundation Scholarship
Workforce Development Opportunity Scholarship

“These companies and individuals have been so supportive of our independent college students. Some have been contributing to the fund for more than 60 years,” said Kinser. “Their generosity has had a profound impact – 156 students will benefit from a named scholarship during the 2021-22 academic year, and hundreds of additional students will benefit, from the general scholarship funds we raise for the campuses to distribute.

Donations for programs totaled $319,470 and support NCICU events such as its annual Ethics Bowl, and the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research Symposium.

In addition, more than $1.4 million in in-kind gifts was received, the majority provided by SAS in donations of software and training support for 30 NCICU campuses.

September 28, 2021

Independent College Fund Raises $2.3M

NC Sheriffs’ Association Establishes Scholarships

The North Carolina Sheriffs Association (NCSA) has established the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Criminal Justice Scholarship for students at 26 private colleges and universities in North Carolina that will be administered by North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU).

Recipients, who must be North Carolina residents, will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Priority will be given to students whose parent or guardian has served in law enforcement, or the scholarship will go to a student majoring in criminal justice or a related program.

Colleen Kinser, Director of the Independent College Fund of North Carolina expressed appreciation for this scholarship support, “We are thankful for this partnership with NCSA to assist qualifying students who want to pursue a career in law enfocement and to give back to the dependents of those who are already serving our community. We are looking forward to working with NCSA to administer these funds.”

Recipients of the scholarship will be chosen by the financial aid office at the university that the student plans to attend or is currently attending. Applications are available from the university’s financial aid office, and after completion, should be returned to the university’s financial aid office.

July 29, 2021

Virtual Counselors Tour Scheduled

North Carolina’s 36 private, nonprofit colleges and universities will be showcased via a virtual Counselors Tour July 12-29. Each afternoon, Monday-Thursday, high school counselors from around the state of North Carolina and the nation will learn about the academic programs, campus life, and uniqueness of the institutions.

The virtual format, implemented because of the pandemic, replaces an annual weeklong bus tour, which traditionally fills up on the day the registration is announced. “The virtual format may limit participants’ ability to see the campuses firsthand,” said coordinator Rebecca Leggett, “but it allows so many more counselors to participate in the tour and to get a look at North Carolina’s higher education options and unique attributes for students.”

In addition to 45-minute presentations by each institution, panel discussions featuring campuses’ students and faculty, and a focus on College Affordability are offered to participants. Keynote speakers, including Cris Charbonneau, director of Advocacy & Engagement, myFutureNC; Thomas Stith, president, NC Community College System; and Geoff Coltrane, senior education advisor, Office of the Governor, will be featured on Monday of each week.

To view the schedule or to register for the tour, go to https://ncicu.org/ncicu-2021-counselors-tour/. For additional information, contact Ms. Leggett at [email protected].

July 8, 2021

NCICU Spring 2021 Newsletter

Content:

Navigating the Pandemic Year
2021 Ethics Bowl
Annual Meeting
New Presidents
Grant Projects
Articulation Agreements
Independent College Fund Raises $2.4m
New Collaborative Partners

May 5, 2021

NCICU and NCCCS Sign Psychology and Sociology Articulation Agreements

Students studying Psychology or Sociology at North Carolina’s community colleges can now seamlessly transfer to a number of private colleges and universities in the state to complete a bachelor’s degree in one of these disciplines. NC Community College System (NCCCS) president, Thomas Stith, and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) president, Hope Williams, signed articulation agreements today. The articulation agreement includes all 58 community colleges.

“I am most pleased to sign another agreement that lets us simplify processes and remove barriers for students to continue their education in North Carolina,” said Stith. “We appreciate this needed opportunity to better align with partners within NCICU to accelerate student progress.”

“NCICU and NCCCS have worked together on statewide articulation agreements since the 1990s, said Williams. “Being recognized nationally for the importance of this work is an honor and the Teagle Foundation Grant is allowing us to provide even greater support to our transfer students.”

This agreement provides a progression degree plan that includes required general education and prerequisite courses that are acceptable to all signatory programs. The NCICU Board approved the agreements on April 14, 2021, and the State Board of Community Colleges approved them on April 16, 2021. The agreements will go into effect with the 2021 fall semester.

Pathways in psychology and sociology were mapped out by 15 NCICU institutions paired with 15 two-year colleges (14 community colleges and one private two-year college) (see lists below). The colleges are working together to create a “culture of transfer” that ensures students receive the most comprehensive information and are carefully advised from their first year at a two-year college until graduation with a bachelor’s degree.

Work on this agreement was funded by a grant from the Teagle Foundation through the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and includes a component of advising and policy development for financial aid to nontraditional students. “The advising and financial aid components of the grant will provide critical supplemental support to help these students be successful in completing their baccalaureate degrees,” Williams said.

In addition to Psychology and Sociology, NCICU and NCCCS have articulation agreements in Music, Theatre, Fine Arts, Teacher Education and RN to BSN.

WORKING GROUP

Community College Partners
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Blue Ridge Community College
Central Carolina Community College
Central Piedmont Community College
Durham Technical Community College
Forsyth Technical Community College
Guilford Technical Community College
Isothermal Community College
Roanoke-Chowan Community College
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
South Piedmont Community College
Stanly Community College
Wake Technical Community College
Wilson Community College

NCICU Participants
Barton College: psychology
Brevard College: psychology
Campbell University: psychology
Catawba College: psychology and sociology
Chowan University: psychology
Gardner-Webb University: psychology & sociology
Guilford College: psychology and sociology
Johnson C. Smith University: psychology
Louisburg College (two-year): psychology & sociology
Mars Hill University: psychology and sociology
Meredith College: psychology and sociology
Pfeiffer University: psychology
Salem College: psychology and sociology
Shaw University: psychology and sociology
William Peace University: psychology
Wingate University: psychology

April 21, 2021

Meredith President Elected Chair of NCICU

Meredith College president, Jo Allen, has been elected chair of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) Board of Directors. The election took place at NCICU’s annual meeting held virtually on March 30. President Allen previously served terms as treasurer and vice chair on the board. She will replace Wake Forest University president, Nathan Hatch, who has served as chair for four years.

NCICU board is made up of the presidents of its 36 colleges and universities. Other executive committee officers elected at the meeting are President Jimmy Jenkins, Livingstone College, vice chair; President Nido Qubein, High Point University, treasurer; and President Rhett Brown, Wingate University, secretary. The new board will assume office on July 1.

March 31, 2021