NAICU News

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) Recognized by America’s Independent Colleges and Universities

October 18, 2019

 
  NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M., left, presents a framed print of a CICC Member Spotlight to Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)
U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) was recognized Thursday for her leadership and support of independent colleges and universities by Barbara K. Mistick, D.M., president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, with the presentation of a framed replica of her Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC) Member Spotlight.
 
“Rep. Stefanik understands the important role independent colleges and universities play in meeting the unique needs of students in a diverse higher education sector,” Mistick said. “Through her membership in the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus, Rep. Stefanik has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring students and families from all economic levels have access to the financial aid necessary to make choice possible for students to achieve their dreams of a college degree.”
 
Rep. Stefanik has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2015. She currently serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor, Committee on Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. 
 
“As a proud graduate of an independent college, the CICC caucus allows me to be a leading voice in Congress on the issues impacting independent colleges and universities,” Rep. Stefanik said. “I continue to see the impact independent colleges make on the lives of students, and in the communities across my district and throughout the nation. A strength of our higher education system is the variety that exists across the sector, in which independent colleges have an important place in providing students with distinct learning opportunities to foster their individual growth and development.”
 
Her district covers New York’s Adirondack Region and includes five independent colleges and universities: Clarkson University, CVPH Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology, Paul Smith's College, St. Lawrence University, and Word of Light Bible Institute.
 
Clarkson University President Anthony G. Collins., Ph.D., praised Rep. Stefanik for her work on higher education and environmental issues.
 
"Congresswoman Stefanik is a bi-partisan leader for clean energy, environmental research and public policies that advance sustainable economic development as well as ensure sound protections for our most precious natural resources,” Collins said.  “As a national research university and proven leader in technological education committed to sustainable solutions through teaching, scholarship, research and innovation, Clarkson is grateful for her partnership with the University, the North Country district she serves and the nation that needs world-relevant responses to the complex issues we face. "
 
New York is home to over 200 independent higher education institutions enrolling more than 460,000 students.  In 2018-19, students at all New York colleges and universities received 466,497 Pell Grants Awards totaling $1,996,550,023. 
 
Paul Smith’s College President Cathy S. Dove, Ph.D. cited Rep. Stefanik’s enduring support for federal student aid.

"We are grateful to Congresswoman Stefanik’s ongoing support for higher education,” Dove said.  “Her unwavering advocacy for programs such as Pell and veterans programs ensures that many worthy students have access to a great education at schools such as Paul Smith’s College.  Her passionate leadership in addressing significant economic and environmental issues is also highly valued by our entire region."
 
St. Lawrence University President William L. Fox, Ph.D. credited Rep. Stefanik with recognizing how higher education empowers students.
 
“Congresswoman Stefanik understands the transformational power of higher education and has been a leader and strong supporter of issues such as access and affordability that are important to colleges and universities in the North Country,” Fox said.
 
Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities President Mary Beth Labate praised Rep. Stefanik’s commitment to New York’s independent colleges and universities.
 
“On behalf of New York’s 100+ private, not-for-profit colleges and universities, we are grateful for Congresswoman Stefanik’s steadfast commitment to New York’s private, not-for-profit colleges and universities and the students we serve,” Labate said.  “Her push to make Pell Grants available year round and to increase the size of the award has enabled many students to pursue their college dreams. We applaud her for recognizing and supporting the tremendous contributions that private colleges in her district make to the local economies, the workforce and to New York’s growing reputation as an innovation hub.”

 

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