Constance “Connie” Ledoux Book, Ph.D., president of the Elon University (NC), has been elected chair of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).  Book leads a list of four new board officers and 14 new board members who will take office on July 1, 2023.

Founded in 1976, NAICU is the only national membership organization solely focused on representing the nation’s 1,700 private, nonprofit colleges and universities on public policy issues in Washington, DC. NAICU board members set the association’s agenda on federal higher education policy, actively encourage support for the association’s priorities and initiatives, and oversee the organization’s financial administration.  Board members serve three-year terms, while officers serve one-year terms.

“Connie Book, a passionate advocate for higher education and its power to transform student’s lives, possesses a deep commitment to private higher education and an insightful view of the political environment in Washington,” said NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M. “As president of the Elon University, she has worked to enhance the university’s national leadership in experiential education, mentoring and student success. I look forward to working with Dr. Book in the coming year to advance the goals of private, nonprofit higher education.”

“NAICU’s advocacy on behalf of the important work of private colleges and universities in our country has a long legacy of positive impact,” Book said.  “I’m honored to serve as chair during such a critical period for higher education.” 

Book will succeed Eric F. Spina, Ph.D., president of University of Dayton (OH), who will remain on the board as immediate past chair.

Book Background

Book became the ninth president of Elon University in July 2018.  Under her leadership, Elon was reclassified as a Doctoral/Professional university and made its debut among the top 100 National Universities in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. 

In 2020, Book led creation of the 10-year Boldly Elon strategic plan to continue enhancing and expanding the university's mission to prepare ethical, resilient and agile graduates who shape the future. The number of full-time faculty positions has grown, and innovative new academic programs have been established in engineering, nursing, science and technology. In addition, she advanced new initiatives to create connections to the local community through partnerships with public schools and regional businesses, and strategic partnerships with, and support for, a thriving Town of Elon.

In addition to leading Boldly Elon initiatives, Book recently completed the $250 million Elon LEADS comprehensive campaign, which she kicked off in 2019. 

Book joined Elon’s faculty as assistant professor of communications in 1999, teaching courses in new media, broadcast policy, news writing, research and production. She also served as department chair and associate dean of the School of Communications.  In 2015, she accepted a groundbreaking role as the first female provost and chief academic officer at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, before returning to Elon in her current role.

Book earned a doctorate from the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in education administration and supervision from Northwestern State University (Louisiana) and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University. (Book’s complete bio is available on the Elon University website)

Other New NAICU Board Officers
Three other individuals were elected as Board officers, serving one-year terms expiring in June 2024:

• Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D., president of Hollins University in Roanoke, VA, will serve as Vice Chair. She is in line to assume the board chair post in July 2024.
• Paul C. Pribbenow, Ph.D., president of Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN, will serve as Treasurer. 
• Ernest C. McNealey, Ph.D., president of Allen University in Columbia, SC, will serve as Secretary.

At the same time, four board members have been appointed as chairs of the association’s standing committees on policy and programs and will join the officers as members of the Executive Committee:

• Greg G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D., president of Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, will serve as chair of the Audit Committee.
• Burton J. Webb, Ph.D., president of the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, KY, will chair the Committee on Accountability.
• John E. Cech, Ph.D., president of Carroll College in Helena, MT, will chair the Committee on Student Aid.
• Elizabeth L. Paul, Ph.D., president of Nazareth College in Rochester, NY will serve as chair of the Committee on Tax Policy.

Two other board members, representing allied organizations also will serve on the Executive Committee:

• Robert LeFevre, president of the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities, will represent the National Association of Independent College and University State Executives, whose members lead the state associations of private, nonprofit colleges and universities in 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
• Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., Ed.D., president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Washington, DC will represent the NAICU Secretariat. The Secretariat consists of 26 member associations representing the many regional and special-purpose independent colleges and universities across the country. 

New NAICU Board Members
Eight individuals were elected to three-year terms ending in June 2026, representing the association’s eight national regions:

• Marie F. Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D., president of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, will represent Region I (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
• Marylou Yam, Ph.D., president of Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, MD, will represent Region II (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York).
• Elizabeth M. Meade, Ph.D., president of Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA, will represent Region III (Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia).
• Suzanne E. Walsh, J.D., MSSA, president of Bennett College in Greensboro, NC, will represent Region IV (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Caroline, and Virginia).
• Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, IN, will represent Region V (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin).
• Brad Carson, J.D., president of University of Tulsa, OK, will represent Region VI (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas).
• Rachelle K. Keck, Ph.D., J.D., president of Grand View University in Des Moines, IA, will represent Region VII (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota).
• Audrey Bilger, Ph.D., president of Reed College in Portland, OR, will represent Region VIII (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado., Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming).

Four additional individuals were named to three-year terms as at-large board members with terms ending in June 2026:

• David A. Armstrong, J.D., president of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL.
• Gilberto J. Marxuach-Torros, J.D., president of Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in 
• San Juan, PR.
• Krista L. Newkirk, J.D., president of University of Redlands in Redlands, CA.
• Tania Tetlow, J.D., president of Fordham University in New York, NY. 

NAICU serves as the unified voice for the 1,700 private, nonprofit colleges and universities in our nation. Founded in 1976, NAICU is the only national membership organization solely focused on representing private, nonprofit higher education on public policy issues in Washington, DC. NAICU’s membership reflects the diversity of private, nonprofit higher education in the U.S. Our member institutions include major research universities, faith-based colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority-Serving Institutions, art and design colleges, traditional liberal arts and science institutions, women’s colleges, work colleges, two-year colleges and schools of law, medicine, engineering, business and other professions.