The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) located in Washington D.C. It is an organization of private American colleges and universities. Founded in 1976, it is made up of over 1,000 independent
higher education
Tertiary education (higher education, or post-secondary education) is the educational level following the completion of secondary education.
The World Bank defines tertiary education as including universities, colleges, and vocational schools ...
institutions.
NAICU staff meets with policymakers, helps coordinate the joint activities of state-level private college associations, and advises members of legislative and regulatory developments with potential impact on their institutions.
NAICU has three main federal advocacy goals. First, to ensure that federal student aid programs help to provide all Americans with access to the college of their choice. Second, to seek appropriate regulation of private colleges and universities that is sensitive to their diversity and independence while addressing society's needs. And third, to promote tax policies that help families pay for college and also helps private colleges fulfill their distinctive missions.
In addition, NAICU works cooperatively with its fellow presidential associations, as well as the many other specialized higher education associations, in spearheading major public initiatives. Such projects include: the Student Aid Alliance, an effort to enhance funding for existing student aid programs; the non-partisan National Campus Voter Registration Project that helps colleges and universities encourage voter registration and increase voter education in presidential and congressional elections; and CampusCares, a national campaign to recognize the community service performed by millions of students, faculty and staff.
NAICU developed the
University and College Accountability Network The University and College Accountability Network (U-CAN) provides information for prospective students and their parents to compare American private colleges and universities across a wide variety of characteristics. Users can search for participat ...
(U-CAN), a tool for prospective students and their parents to complement guides like ''
U.S. News & World Report'', which has been the focus of
criticism
Criticism is the construction of a judgement about the negative or positive qualities of someone or something. Criticism can range from impromptu comments to a written detailed response. , ''the act of giving your opinion or judgment about the ...
. U-CAN allows parents and students to compare characteristics of private colleges and universities based on what students and parents actually want to know.
Leadership
Barbara K. Mistick became president of NAICU on September 1, 2019. Prior to that, she was the president of
Wilson College in Pennsylvania.
Past presidents
* David L. Warren (1993 - 2019). Dr. Warren was presented with the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement by the
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP).
* Richard Rosser (1986 - 1993)
* John Phillips (1976 - 1986) - Founding President
See also
*
References
External links
Official websiteU-CAN NetworkStudent Aid AllianceNational Campus Voter Registration Project
{{Authority control
1976 establishments in Washington, D.C.
College and university associations and consortia in the United States
Educational organizations established in 1976
Private and independent school organizations in the United States