News from NAICU

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.
 

A new national survey by the Marist Poll shows overwhelming public support for doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and found that more than six-in-ten Americans say college leads to a better job and an improved position in life.
 
The national survey of 1,257 adults (including 1,135 registered voters) was conducted by the Marist Poll as part of a presentation to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities during its 2023 Annual Meeting and Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.
 
Nationally, 74% of Americans support doubling the Pell Grant and less than one quarter (24%) oppose such an increase.  These data are consistent with findings from a national poll NAICU conducted in November 2021, which showed that 75% of Americans support doubling the Pell Grant.
 
“The Pell Grant program has helped over 80 million students during its first 50 years,” said NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick.  “This is a program whose support from policymakers has historically transcended political ideology.  Today, we see that Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Americans from all backgrounds across the country want to see this critical student aid funding program significantly expanded.”
 
The proposal enjoys widespread support across party lines, income and regional demographics, and races.

Strongly Support/Support Doubling Pell
 

National Adults	74%		Household Income
Republican	57		<$50,000	77%
Democrat	89		$50,000-$99,000	73
Independent	71		$100,000 or >	73
Region			Race/Ethnicity
Northeast	71%		Black	89%
Midwest	71		Latino	74
South	75		White	72
West	77

National Adults	65%
Republican	57
Democrat	78
Independent	62

“Americans understand the value and life-long impact of a higher education,” said Mistick.  “The key is to ensure that any student who wishes to attend a college or university – two-year or four-year – can access and afford it.  Doubling the Pell Grant would expand eligibility and increase affordability for low-income students across the country.  The time has come to double the Pell Grant maximum.”
 
The findings are from a survey of 1,257 adults conducted January 23rd through January 26th, 2023, by the Marist Poll as part of a presentation for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) 2023 Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted through a multi-mode design: respondents were contacted by live interviewers, by text, or online. Survey questions were available in English or Spanish. Results are statistically significant within ±3.6 percentage points.  The error margin was adjusted for sample weights and increases for cross-tabulations.
 

Suzanne Stokes Vieth has been appointed Director of State Relations and Outreach at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). 

The state relations and outreach director is responsible for cultivating and managing the Association’s network of state executives, tracking emerging higher education issues at the state level, and organizing and coordinating coalitions within the NAICU membership.
 
“Suzanne brings to NAICU a vast array of experience in direct and grassroots advocacy at both the state level and on Capitol Hill,” said NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M. “Our members will benefit greatly from her experience, energy and enthusiasm for our work on behalf of private, nonprofit colleges and universities and the students we serve.
 
Vieth joins NAICU from the Population Association of America/Association of Population Centers where she served as deputy director for government affairs.  Among her many accomplishments in that position, she planned and led congressional fly-ins and organized scientific briefings for congressional audiences.
 
Previously, she served as the manager of congressional relations for the Association of Public Television Stations, where she worked extensively with the 158 public television licensees distributed across the country and helped establish the Congressional Public Broadcasting Caucus, to which she served as liaison.
 
In addition, Vieth operated a consulting business serving a number of community-based organizations with grassroots development, grant writing, strategic planning, editorial writing and editing, and meeting facilitation. She began her career as a legislative specialist in the office of former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT). Vieth is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science.
 

Today, President Biden announced an executive action to forgive federal student loan debt of $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 for other students who make up to $125,000. According to The White House, the loan forgiveness includes the vast majority of the 43 million people with student debt and could render up to 20 million borrowers whose balances are under $10,000 entirely free of student debt. The action taken today also  extended the pandemic pause on student loan payments, through the end of the year. Loan payments were set to resume for millions of borrowers after Aug. 31.

NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M. issued the following statement: 

“College affordability is a critical issue and will take a multi-pronged approach to address effectively. The single most important step Congress can take to make college more affordable is to double the maximum Pell Grant award to $13,000. This program is the cornerstone of federal financial aid and has helped 80 million students since its inception. We must also work together on reforms that will improve the student loan programs and provide resources to help students make more informed financial decisions concerning their education. We look forward to working with the Administration on the three-step approach announced today by President Biden.
 
“But we must all do our own part to address these issues as well.  Private, nonprofit colleges and universities continue to implement strategies and initiatives to increase access and success for students and families from all backgrounds. I am proud to say that 79 percent of all grant aid provided at four-year private, nonprofit institutions comes directly from institutional resources.  Additionally, what often goes overlooked is that net tuition at private, nonprofits is lower now than it was ten years ago.
 
“Private, nonprofit colleges and universities have the best on-time, four-year graduation rates. Completing on-time is a critical component of reducing the debt loads for students and families and allowing students to quickly enter the job market.
 
“But our sector can and must do even more. We must work harder to ensure more students complete college and complete on time. We need to ensure that students and their families understand what it means to borrow, and we need to do more to help those who must borrow to access jobs that will make repayment easier.
 
“Congress needs to do more as well. Now is the time to Double Pell so that we don’t fall back into this same loan pattern. Among the many things that should be addressed are the cost of student loans, the ease of repayment, and the targeting of subsidies to those who need the help the most.
 
“A degree is a ticket to an American dream, and we will continue to work with Congress to ensure that every student has access to that dream.”

Barbara K. Mistick, D.M.
President
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

On June 23, 1972, the Education Amendments Act of 1972 was signed by President Richard M. Nixon. These amendments created the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, later named the Pell Grant in honor of its sponsor, Senator Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island.
 
NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M. issued the following statement on the eve of this golden anniversary:
 
“Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pell Grant, a critical federal student aid program that has provided a pathway to higher education for 80 million students nationwide.  In advocating for his legislation 50 years ago, Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-RI) said: ‘This is very important legislation, for it’s through this Act that the dream of access, and opportunity for college education becomes a reality.’
 
“Currently, the Pell Grant helps nearly 7 million students access a higher education and is a proven program that enjoys strong bipartisan support among Americans and policy makers alike. The pandemic, however, has pulled the rug out from under low-income students. Since the pandemic began, college enrollment is down 13% across higher education, and financial aid applications are down 6% for low-income students. We are on the cusp of losing a generation of students.
 
“The Pell Grant program remains the fairest and most efficient way to help low-income and first-generation students access and complete college and enter the workforce. However, additional grant aid is needed. That is why we support doubling the Pell Grant maximum award to $13,000, which President Joe Biden also supports.  If the Pell Grant is doubled, not only will current students receive increased grants, but the pool of eligible students will grow, providing more working-class students access to aid.
 
“Doubling Pell will put more money in the hands of students first and allow them to use it at the college or training program that best fits their educational needs. However, the president’s proposal would not double the current Pell Grant amount until 2029.
 
“So, on this day marking 50 years of the Pell Grant, we celebrate the impact it has had on so many students and families but also highlight the continued work that must be undertaken to ensure that the maximum award is increased as quickly as possible, putting these expanded resources in the hands of students sooner rather than later.”
 
Barbara K. Mistick, D.M.
President
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities