NCICU Celebrates Graduation Ceremonies Across 36 Colleges & Universities

Twenty-six North Carolina private colleges and universities are offering eligible students more immediate acceptance to their campuses for the 2025-2026 academic year. North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) proudly presents to North Carolina high school seniors and their families the NCICU Direct Admission Program. This groundbreaking initiative simplifies the college application process for North Carolina high school seniors with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher. In just five minutes, students can complete their application at www.ncicu.org without the worry of any application fees. Among the 36 NCICU campuses, 26 are part of this innovative program, offering eligible students the exciting opportunity to confirm their acceptance.

The participating NCICU campuses are:

• Barton College
• Belmont Abbey College
• Bennett College
• Catawba College
• Chowan University
• Gardner-Webb University
• Greensboro College
• Guilford College
• Johnson C. Smith University
• Lees-McRae College
• Lenoir-Rhyne University
• Livingstone College
• Louisburg College
• Mars Hill University
• Meredith College
• Methodist University
• Montreat College
• North Carolina Wesleyan University
• Pfeiffer University
• Shaw University
• St. Andrews University
• Saint Augustine’s University
• University of Mount Olive
• Warren Wilson College
• William Peace University
• Wingate University

The NCICU Direct Admission Program provides a seamless and swift application process. By answering a few straightforward questions, students will receive information directly from the colleges and universities of their choice, including details about conditional acceptance, specific campus requirements, and available financial aid options. This streamlined process is designed to make the college application experience as stress-free as possible.

The Superintendent of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCPDI) has refused to allow NCICU to send letters through NCDPI to the eligible students and families about their direct admission to these 26 private, non-profit colleges and universities, as she is doing for a pilot with all the community colleges and 6 public universities. She has stated that, “It is our thought that a separate letter from NCICU will confuse students and parents and therefore affect the potential for a successful pilot.”

NCICU strongly disagrees.

“We believe that informing students about their options at these 26 private, non-profit colleges and universities can only enhance their educational opportunities,” said NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. “To suggest that this information may confuse students undermines their ability to make informed decisions about their futures. We recognize 70,000 students could benefit from this direct admission opportunity, and we are committed to ensuring they receive this vital information. We believe having more acceptances to college will help students find their “right fit” and will also contribute to meeting the state’s myFutureNC educational attainment goal.”

NCICU will ask North Carolina district superintendents and high school principals to urge educators and community leaders to champion this exciting initiative. NCICU is also distributing Counselor’s Handbooks to over 1,000 North Carolina school counselors, which includes information about the Direct Admission Program this year.

NCICU encourages all students to prioritize completing their FAFSA and seize the opportunities presented by the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship, Federal Pell Grants, and significant Institutional Aid available at NCICU campuses. These financial aid programs provide crucial financial support to help ease the burden of college expenses.

All NCICU colleges and universities also offer the traditional admissions process.

Click here for more information about the NCICU Direct Admission Program.

This August, the 36 North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) campuses are buzzing with excitement as they open their doors to a new academic year. From the picturesque settings of Barton College and Belmont Abbey College to the urban landscapes of Duke University and Wake Forest University, students are eagerly stepping onto campuses brimming with opportunities for growth and success.

Below is a list of class start dates from each NCICU campus:

• Barton College | August 26th
• Belmont Abbey College | August 20th
• Bennett College | August 19th
• Brevard College | August 20th
• Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | August 26th
• Campbell University | August 21st
• Catawba College | August 21st
• Chowan University | August 19th
• Davidson College | August 26th
• Duke University | August 26th
• Elon University | August 27th
• Gardner-Webb University | August 21st
• Greensboro College | August 20th
• Guilford College | August 23th
• High Point University | August 19th
• Johnson C. Smith University | August 21st
• Lees-McRae College | August 19th
• Lenior Rhyne University | August 26th
• Livingstone College | August 21st
• Louisburg College | August 21st
• Mars Hills University | August 20th
• Meredith College | August 21st
• Methodist University | August 19th
• Montreat College | August 20th
• NC Wesleyan University | August 21st
• Pfeiffer University | August 19th
• Queens University of Charlotte | August 26th
• St. Andrews University | August 27th
• Saint Augustine’s University | September 3rd
• Salem College | August 21st
• Shaw University | August 14th
• University of Mount Olive | August 26th
• Wake Forest University | August 26th
• Warren Wilson College | August 28th
• Willam Peace University | August 21st
• Wingate University | August 19th

With classes commencing on various dates throughout the month, these institutions are gearing up to offer unparalleled educational experiences to their diverse student bodies. NCICU campuses are renowned not only for academic excellence but also for their commitment to affordability. Understanding the financial challenges students and their families face, each NCICU campus ensures that their top-notch education is accessible without the burden of overwhelming financial stress, thanks to the Institutional Aid that each campus offers, along with the NC Need-Based Scholarship and Federal Pell Grant.

As the first days of class unfold across the NCICU campuses, a sense of anticipation fills the air, heralding a year of academic achievement, personal growth, and boundless opportunities. North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities campuses invite students to embark on this exciting venture and pursue their dreams with unyielding dedication and enthusiasm.

Click here to learn more about NCICU’s 36 campuses.

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) continues its commitment to serving as a vital resource for its campuses by hosting an impactful workshop on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) focused on supporting sustainable, clean energy projects.

On Thursday, July 25, 2024, representatives from twenty-one NCICU campuses gathered at host campus Catawba College in collaboration with Wake Forest University’s Sabin Center and the Green South Foundation to explore the IRA’s potential for driving sustainability initiatives across higher education institutions.

The workshop featured a diverse agenda showcasing leading experts in the field:

• Clean Energy Tax Credits: Jason Volz, PE, Bill Powell, Mechanical Engineer/Project Manager – CMTA, Inc., Martin Karamon, and David Monimini – Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC, shared their extensive insights on leveraging tax credits for clean energy projects, ensuring that the audience was well-informed and confident in their understanding of the topic.
• Project Finance: Brian Schneiderman from Self-Help Credit Union/Climate United enlightened participants on the EPA’s National Clean Investment Fund Loan Program, paving the way for financially sustainable projects.
• Utility Incentives: Charity McPhail from Duke Energy provided practical and valuable information on utility incentives, highlighting cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions that the audience can readily implement.

The workshop saw high engagement and collaboration among the registrants and presenters, emphasizing the shared commitment to advancing sustainability and clean energy initiatives within the NCICU campus community.

By fostering partnerships and knowledge sharing, NCICU underscores its unwavering commitment to sustainability, inspiring and motivating campuses to embrace renewable energy solutions for a greener and more sustainable future.

Click here for information, including a list of registrants and presenters.

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A newly funded technology platform provides more assurance to North Carolina community college students that their credits will count toward a bachelor’s degree at any private four-year university in the state. North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) and the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) announced a new grant-funded partnership to facilitate the successful transfer of course credits for students moving from two-year colleges to four-year private colleges and universities in the state.

The new initiative will leverage technology from Acadeum to streamline the transfer process and reduce credit loss, to replicate this technology in other states through the generous support of a $1.3 million collective grant from the Teagle Foundation, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, ECMC Foundation, the John M. Belk Endowment, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition, Lumina Foundation has provided complementary funding to ensure the involvement of NCICU and NCCCS faculty and staff in the development and implementation of this project.

“We are fortunate in North Carolina to have both a comprehensive articulation agreement for students to be able to transfer the first two years of college courses and we also have discipline-specific agreements for those students who know the major they wish pursue,” said Dr. Hope Williams, the president of NCICU. “We are grateful to the funders of this project for helping us use world-class technology to streamline the transfer process with our partners from the North Carolina community college system.”

Nationally, 80% of entering community college students indicate they want to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher, but only 31% of those students actually go on to do so. For many students navigating the education landscape, the transfer process may pose a challenge in finding the “right fit” in terms of course credits accepted and majors offered at four-year institutions.

“Continuing to enhance transfer opportunities for North Carolina’s community college students is critical to helping them continue their education and improve their social and economic mobility,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the North Carolina Community College System. “We are proud to partner with NCICU to strengthen the transfer process to help our students achieve both associate and baccalaureate degrees.”

Any credit loss can set students back financially and academically, creating unnecessary roadblocks to students completing their intended credentials.

The new funding will help the state’s community college students within NCCCS and students at Louisburg College in NCICU leverage a statewide transfer portal to be powered by technology partner Acadeum. Working in collaboration with other statewide transfer efforts, the project will build on existing state policies and articulation agreements in North Carolina, and specifically address four transfer frameworks:

• Associate degree transfer – facilitating four-year universities’ acceptance of general education or core credits earned at community colleges in order for students to maximize credit completion.
• Transfer pathways – enabling students to plan major-specific credits earned at a community college towards their degree at a four-year university to have the highest application of their community college credits.
• Transfer guarantee – providing the option of admission guarantees for community college transfer students who meet certain criteria so that learners have a clear understanding of admission requirements and confidence in acceptance of credit.
• Reverse transfer – helping students enrolled at four-year universities complete their associate degree while pursuing their bachelor’s degree.

The project will leverage the Acadeum Course Share platform (ACS), which allows participating colleges to offer available seats in open courses and map course equivalencies to help credit count at the home institution. Acadeum already works with multiple institutions within North Carolina and has a longstanding partnership with NCICU.

“Every student has their own unique education journey and should be able to move between institutions and receive full credit for their work,” said Dave Daniels, president and CEO of Acadeum. “We are proud to support the innovative collaboration of NCCCS and NCICU as we work towards greater credit mobility through transfer pathways.”

To learn more about the transfer initiative, contact Dr. Hope Williams at [email protected].

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) proudly acknowledges the recent presidential transitions on its campuses, highlighting the continued commitment to excellence and leadership in private higher education institutions across the state.

The strength of independent, private higher education leadership shines through as institutions like William Peace University, Meredith College, and Cabarrus College of Health Sciences undergo transitions at the helm. These changes reflect the dedication to fostering innovation, scholarship, and student success in the dynamic landscape of North Carolina’s independent higher education sector.

Critical Presidential Transitions Include:

Dr. Brian C. Ralph concluded his tenure as president of William Peace University at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. Dr. Lynn Morton was immediately appointed president for two years. Click here to read more.

Dr. Jo Allen retires after 13 years of service as the Meredith College’s first alumna president. Dr. Aimee W. Sapp was named the ninth president, carrying forward a legacy of academic excellence and leadership. Click here to read more.

Dr. Cam Cruickshank concludes his tenure after four years as President of Cabarrus College of Health Sciences to become President/CEO of the newly created Greater Cabarrus Foundation. Dr. Steven Currall was appointed Interim President, ensuring continuity and strategic leadership.

These transitions mark a new chapter in the history of these esteemed institutions, emphasizing the values of integrity, innovation, and student-centered learning that define the essence of NCICU campuses. The dedication of outgoing presidents and the vision of incoming leaders as new members of NCICU’s Board of Directors reflect the tireless commitment to academic excellence and community engagement.

NCICU stands alongside its institutions in supporting these transitions, recognizing the pivotal role that independent colleges play in shaping the future leaders of North Carolina. The collaborative efforts of legislators, corporate sponsors, and educational advocates contribute to the success of private higher education and its impact on the state’s economy and leadership pipeline.

Click here to learn more about NCICU’s Board of Directors.

On June 11th, the North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) hosted a prestigious Internship Luncheon at Cantina 18 in Raleigh, NC. The event was a jubilant celebration of the remarkable achievements of 13 students from NCICU campuses who secured internships with the North Carolina legislature and the State of North Carolina Internship Program.

The luncheon was a testament to the tireless dedication and exceptional talent of the interns serving in North Carolina’s Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of state government. It showcased the commitment of students from private higher education institutions from various NCICU campuses, who represent the high caliber of individuals nurtured by independent, private colleges in North Carolina.

The Internship Luncheon’s success underscores private colleges’ critical role in shaping the next generation of leaders for North Carolina. By providing opportunities for practical learning and professional development, NCICU institutions prepare students to excel in diverse fields and make meaningful contributions to society.

The students who secured internships with the North Carolina legislature and the State of North Carolina Internship Program this year are:

Julia Avery >

Caleb Brinkley >

Macy Erin Daniels >

Anna Diorio >

Shreya Kumar >

Beckett Lindsey >

Katherine McKenzie >

Jenna McLamb >

Morgan Moser >

Aryan Nair >

Karina Rotimi >

Leiloni Sharpe >

Colin Tierney >

Julia Avery
Junior, Environmental Studies with a concentration in Water and Earth Resources, Wake County
Warren Wilson College
NC Department of Environmental Quality/Division of Water Resources

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Caleb Brinkley
Wake Forest University alumnus, Philosophy & Political Science, Danville, VA
Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, rising Third Year
North Carolina General Assembly, House of Representatives, Speaker Tim Moore

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Macy Daniels
Junior, Bachelors Degree in Sociology, Mecklenburg County
Saint Augustine’s University
North Carolina Department of Commerce/Workforce Solutions

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Anna Diorio
Meredith College alumna, Cary, NC
Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
North Carolina General Assembly, House of Representatives, Rep. Destin Hall

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Shreya Kumar
rising Second Year Law student, Holly Springs, NC
Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
North Carolina General Assembly, Senate, Sen. Jay Chaudhuri

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Beckett Lindsey
Rising Senior, Politics & International Affairs; English, Houston, TX
Wake Forest University
North Carolina General Assembly, House of Representatives, Rep. John Autry

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Katherine McKenzie
Senior, Russian & Public Policy, High Point, NC
Duke University
North Carolina General Assembly, House of Representatives, Rep. Zack Hawkins

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Jenna McLamb
Freshman, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Sampson County
Campbell University
Department of Environmental Quality/Coastal Management

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Morgan Moser
Junior, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Concentration in The Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing, Johnston County
Wake Forest University
North Carolina Department of Administration/Office of the Secretary of State

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Aryan Nair
Junior, Economics and Public Policy, Apex, NC
Duke University
North Carolina General Assembly, House of Representatives, Rep. Robert Reives

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Karina Heyward-Rotimi
Wake Forest University alumna, Political Science and International Relations, Durham, NC
North Carolina General Assembly, Senate, Sen. Natalie Murdock

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Leiloni Sharpe
Freshman, Mathematical Economics, Wake County
Wake Forest University
North Carolina Department of Administration/Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB)

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Colin Tierney
rising Sophomore, Strategic Communications and Media Analytics (double-major), Apex, NC
Elon University
North Carolina General Assembly, House of Representatives, Speaker Tim Moore

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NCICU extends its gratitude to all interns, legislators, public servants, and corporate sponsors for their support in nurturing talent and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Click here for more information about the NCICU Internship Luncheon.

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) concluded its 2024 Annual Meeting in Asheville, NC on March 25-26. The two-day meeting brought together the NCICU Board of Directors, comprised of presidents from all 36 NCICU campuses, and the Independent College Fund of North Carolina’s (ICFNC) Advisory Board, which consists of NCICU presidents and corporate executives. It started with productive sessions and engaging discussions covering various topics, including a summary of ICFNC’s 2022-2023 campaign totals and more ways to support students through student scholarship aid and enrichment programs.

The Executive Committee Meeting convened at The Inn on Biltmore Hotel on Monday, March 25. The Independent College Fund of North Carolina Board Meeting welcomed all presidents. NCICU Chair and Meredith College President Dr. Jo Allen presided over the First General Session. It featured keynote addresses by esteemed speakers, American Council on Education (ACE) President Dr. Ted Mitchell, who provided updates from Washington regarding the work he and his team are involved in with Congress, the executive branch, and the private sector to develop policies and innovative practices that serve our country’s postsecondary learners, and NC Community College System (NCCCS) President Dr. Jeff Cox, who shared insights on the opportunities for growth through NCICU’s partnership with NCCCS. The event also marked the addition of new presidents: Rosemary Thomas of Chowan University, who began her tenure as president on March 11, and Dr. Marcus H. Burgess, Interim President at Saint Augustine’s University. Their visionary leadership will undoubtedly shape the future of our organization. In addition, NCICU recognized outgoing presidents Dr. Jo Allen of Meredith College and Dr. Brian Ralph of William Peace University for their service. A special reception honored retiring and new presidents, followed by a dinner sponsored by Aramark, JPMorgan Chase, McMillan Pazdan Smith, TIAA, and Womble Bond Dickinson.

The Second General Session, held on Tuesday, March 26, led by NCICU Chair Dr. Jo Allen, was a platform to celebrate our collective achievements. It continued the discussions, focusing on the status of NCICU Grant Projects, a testament to our commitment to advancing higher education in North Carolina. NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams presented updates on projects, including Science of Reading, Digital Learning, SAS Grant, SLDS Grant, and Transfer Pathways, showcasing our significant progress in these areas. Dr. Marilyn Sutton-Haywood shared insights on the Faculty Student STEM Mentoring program, a beacon of our innovation. At the same time, Marcel Anderson discussed the iBelong Mentoring Program, a testament to our dedication. President Suzanne Walsh of Bennett College introduced Mr. William Ray, Director of North Carolina Emergency Management, for an enlightening session, inspiring us all with his insights and experiences. Dr. Hope Williams introduced Dr. Trip Stallings, Executive Director of North Carolina Longitudinal Data Services (NCLDS), who shared updates on the progress NCLDS is making to develop secure, privacy-protected access to data linked across time and data sources to help North Carolina address its most pressing questions via data-informed decision-making, continuous improvement, and performance management processes.

The event was a testament to the dedication and collaboration within the NCICU community, showcasing innovation and commitment to advancing higher education in North Carolina.

Click here to learn more about NCICU’s Board of Directors.
Click here to learn more about ICFNC’s Advisory Board.

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) hosted the 2024 Student Government Association President’s Meeting on March 2nd at Guilford College. The event, a testament to the significant role of student leaders representing all 36 NCICU campuses, was a day of collaboration and discussions, highlighting these leaders’ invaluable contributions to the event’s success.

The meeting commenced with warm greetings from Dr. Hope Williams, President of NCICU, and Kyle Farmbry, President of Guilford College. Notable among the guests was Thomas Varnadore, General Manager of Sales Operations at Coca-Cola Consolidated and chair of the Independent College Fund of North Carolina’s Advisory Board. Varnadore, who also served as the meeting’s keynote speaker, delivered a compelling address on the importance of impactful leadership within organizations and in everyday life. The subsequent Q&A session further explored the various aspects of his insightful talk.

In addition, the Executive Planning Team, composed of Kennise Brown from Pfeiffer University, Travon Abraham from Chowan University, Dean Locklear from Campbell University, and Deon McFarland from Guilford College, played a crucial role in shaping the agenda and facilitating the meeting’s discussions. The invaluable guidance of the session facilitators, Alexis Thompson and Dean Locklear from Campbell University and Kennise Brown from Pfeiffer University, was instrumental in the productive talks on Senator Responsibilities, Safety Concerns, and Student Engagement and Enrollment, underscoring their crucial role in the meeting.

NCICU expresses its deep appreciation to all participants and staff for their significant contributions to the meeting’s success. Furthermore, NCICU would like to recognize Beth Jones of Womble Bond Dickinson for her sponsorship and the Guilford College staff for their meticulous planning and unwavering support.

Click here to learn more about NCICU’s programs and meetings.

The Independent College Fund of North Carolina (ICFNC), the crucial fundraising arm of North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU), has achieved a groundbreaking fundraising milestone by raising nearly $3.5 million during its annual campaign, which ended April 30, 2024. This impressive amount represents an outstanding 81% increase from the previous year and is the second-highest fundraising total in ICFNC’s seventy-year history.

“The incredible support we have received this year demonstrates the collective dedication to supporting students, faculty and staff, and enhancing educational opportunities in North Carolina,” said NCICU President Dr. Hope Williams. “We immensely thank all our donors and partners for their generosity.”

Of the Campaign Total of $3,456,358.39, $1,783,814.00 will support NCICU programs, $1,192,949.95 came through in-kind gifts and services, and $479,594.44 is designated for scholarships.

“We are thrilled to have surpassed our fundraising goals for 2024, which are a testament to the dedication and generosity of our supporters and a lifeline that transforms students’ lives through higher education in North Carolina,” said Colleen Kinser, Director of ICFNC. “This remarkable achievement is a testament to the tireless support and belief in the mission of ICFNC and NCICU.”

One of the standout scholarships is the S.T.A.R. (Student Teacher Assistance for Retention) Scholarship, which aims to provide financial support to college seniors pursuing an educator preparation program. This scholarship received overwhelming support, with over $313,000 raised. Thanks to this commitment, numerous college seniors can now focus on their studies, classroom experience as student teachers and future careers. Notably, the Dogwood Health Trust contributed $224,000 towards scholarships, living expenses, testing stipends, and educational materials for colleges and universities in the western part of the state. The Council of Independent Colleges also made a significant contribution of $25,000, matched by generous donors including The Broyhill Family Foundation and Clancy & Theys Construction Company.

NCICU’s partnership with critical foundations led to a substantial fundraising amount of over $1.3 million this year. The contributions from The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, The ECMC Foundation, The Bill & Malinda Gates Foundation, The John M. Belk Endowment, The Lumina Foundation, and The Teagle Foundation have enabled a pilot project involving NCICU institutions and North Carolina Community College System institutions. This project will support the design of a transfer portal for students seeking to transfer to a four-year independent college or university and it will also provide the software to enable a Reverse Transfer process between two and four-year institutions.

In addition to scholarships and programs, ICFNC received a valuable $1.2 million in-kind donation from SAS Software. This grant supports NCICU and individual campuses by offering software and training. Currently, 32 NCICU institutions are part of this program, further reinforcing the commitment to advancing education through technology.

The success of the 2024 fundraising efforts highlights the collaborative efforts and commitment of ICFNC, NCICU, donors, and partners toward creating a brighter future for higher education in North Carolina.

For more information about NCICU’s scholarships and programs, visit www.ncicu.org.
To support the Independent College Fund of North Carolina, visit www.ncicu.org/give.