News from NAICU

	Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) accepts a framed copy of his Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus Member Spotlight from Barbara K. Mistick, D.M., president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

U.S. Representative Jim Banks (R-IN), a member of the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC), was recognized today for his leadership and support of independent colleges and universities by Barbara K. Mistick, D.M., president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
 
“As an independent college alumnus and former state association board member, Rep. Banks understands the unique roles independent colleges and universities play in their communities,” Mistick said. “He is committed to ensuring students and families from all economic backgrounds have access to the financial aid necessary to make college choice possible for students to achieve their dreams of a college degree.”
 
Rep. Banks, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017, was presented with a framed replica of his CICC Member Spotlight by Mistick during a meeting in his office on Capitol Hill. He is a member of the House Committees on Education and Labor, Veterans’ Affairs, and Armed Services.  
 
“Independent colleges make unique and significant contributions to their communities -- economically, intellectually, culturally and spiritually,” Rep. Banks said. “They greatly benefit our local economy and culture from their involvement in our community and the skills and temperament they impart to graduates. The many independent colleges in northeast Indiana provide quality accessible education to students from near and far, while employing hundreds of people and providing a plethora of cultural and entertainment opportunities.”
 
His district encompasses Fort Wayne, Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Huntington, New Haven, Portland, and Warsaw.  The district includes six independent colleges and universities: Concordia Theological Seminary, Grace College and Theological Seminary,
Huntingdon University, Indiana Institute of Technology, Trine University, and University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne. Indiana is home to 43 independent colleges and universities enrolling more than 100,000 students.
 
“Two major problems with education are affordability and the growing skills gap in the U.S.,” Rep. Banks said.  “Like many Americans, my family and I struggled with figuring out how to pay for my college. While I was fortunate to choose a career path that led to gainful employment, many are not as lucky.”
 
He added:  “Currently, 100,000 jobs in Indiana are unfilled because workers do not possess the requisite skills needed for those jobs. I recently introduced legislation that would increase flexibility in the Pell Grant program to help lower the costs of education in career fields most sought after by employers. This common-sense bill would help shrink the skills gap while providing valuable financial resources to students.”
 
Banks earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and an MBA degree online from Grace College while working in commercial construction and real estate, and serving in the U.S. Navy Reserves.
 
“The skills I learned at Grace helped me in each of those endeavors and continue to serve me in the halls of Congress,” Rep. Banks said. “My education also influenced my worldview and enhanced my faith.  For me, college is not just an educational journey but a spiritual one as well –- something that the many thousands of other independent college graduates understand as well.”
 
Grace College President William J. “Bill” Katip, Ph.D. praised Rep. Banks for his comprehension of the higher education environment.
 
“Rep. Banks seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities independent colleges face, and he works to offer meaningful solutions and ideas to them,” Katip said.  “He is also attuned to the
needs of businesses for a more skilled workforce and champions programs that make college as affordable as possible. I appreciate his willingness to ask questions, learn and engage on our issues. We are proud to have Rep. Banks as an alumnus of Grace College and our representative in Congress.”
 
Trine University President Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., lauded Rep. Banks for his knowledge of the key issues facing independent higher education.
 
“Rep. Banks has been a loyal supportive friend to Northeast Indiana and higher education. He is always eager to understand our issues related to affordability, financial aid, Pell Grant support, addressing the skills gap, and the Higher Education Reauthorization Act…..he makes it a point to be well informed to represent our views.”
 
Huntington University (IN) President Sherilyn Emberton, Ed.D. cited Rep. Banks engagement with independent colleges and universities.
 
“Congressman Banks fully engages with the higher educational institutions serving his constituencies,” Emberton said. “While a state senator for Indiana, he served on the President’s Advisory Council for Excellence at Huntington University.  He also made time to be part of the Independent Colleges of Indiana Association as a legislative representative.”
 
David W. Wantz, Ed.D., president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Indiana, called Rep. Banks an advocate for independent colleges and universities.
 
“Independent Colleges of Indiana considers Jim Banks one of our own,” Wantz said.  “As an alum (MBA) of one of our colleges, former ICI Board member, and Indiana General Assembly representative, and now member of the U.S. Congress and House Education and Labor Committee, Rep. Banks has always been an advocate for and friend to our 30 private college and university members.”
 
The Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC), launched in February 2017, offers Members of Congress an opportunity to both celebrate and advance the diversity of the nation's independent colleges and universities, and learn about the challenges and issues these institutions face.  The Caucus, led by co-chairs Rep. Martha Roby (AL-2) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-6), has grown to 78 members.
 

	NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M., left, presents a framed print of a CICC Member Spotlight to Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX).

U.S. Representative Marc Veasey (D-TX), a member of the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC), was recognized today for his leadership and support of independent colleges and universities by Barbara K. Mistick, D.M., president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
 
“As an independent college alumnus and former teacher, Rep. Veasey understands the important role independent colleges and universities play in meeting the unique needs of students in a diverse higher education sector,” Mistick said. “He is committed to ensuring students and families from all economic levels have access to the financial aid necessary to make college choice possible for students to achieve their dreams of a college degree.”
 
Rep. Veasey, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013, was presented with a framed replica of his CICC Member Spotlight by Mistick during a meeting in his office on Capitol Hill. He is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Small Business.  
 
“I personally care about supporting our nation’s independent colleges and universities,” Rep. Veasey said.  “I earned my bachelors from Texas Wesleyan University, a small private university in Fort Worth, TX. My educational experience there was instrumental in shaping my future and instilling in me the values of community, inclusion, and diversity. Through the CICC, I hope to continue advocating for independent colleges and the various issues they face.”
 
His district is composed of two Texas counties: Dallas County, including parts of Dallas and Irving, as well as Tarrant County, including parts of Arlington and Fort Worth. Two independent colleges and universities are located in Rep. Veasey’s district: Parker University and Texas Wesleyan University.
 
Texas Wesleyan University President Frederick G. Slabach, J.D. praised Rep. Veasey for his work as a public servant and support for higher education issues.
 
“Rep. Veasey’s mission as a public servant is similar to Texas Wesleyan’s mission – both are committed to improving lives through education and to improving the Fort Worth community,” Slabach said. “He is a dedicated supporter of Texas Wesleyan as our representative and a proud alumnus. He has even been seen wearing a Texas Wesleyan Rams jersey during the annual congressional baseball game in Washington.”
 
Texas is home to 81 independent colleges and universities enrolling 120,000 students.
 
“As a former student and substitute teacher, I recognize the value and importance of education and believe that education should be made accessible to all Americans, regardless of socioeconomic standing.” Rep. Veasey said. “In Congress, I’m working to keep student loan interest rates down, ensure college affordability, and support programs like Pell Grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF) that make the American Dream possible for so many.”
 
Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, Inc. (ICUT). President Ray Martinez III praised Rep. Veasey’s commitment to Texas’ independent colleges and universities.
 
“We have a thoughtful, engaging champion on Capitol Hill in Congressman Marc Veasey,” Martinez said.  “From meeting with us in Washington to serving on the Board of Trustees of his
alma mater – an ICUT member institution in his district – Congressman Veasey continues to be a strong supporter of independent higher education, and we thank him for that.”
 
The Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC), launched in February 2017, offers Members of Congress an opportunity to both celebrate and advance the diversity of the nation's independent colleges and universities, and learn about the challenges and issues these institutions face.  The Caucus, led by co-chairs Rep. Martha Roby (AL-2) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-6), has grown to 73 members.
 

	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.”

 

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today announced a proposal to cancel most existing student loan debt and make tuition and fees at two- and four-year public colleges free.  To pay for the plan, estimated to cost $1.25 trillion over 10 years, Sen. Warren proposed a 2 percent annual tax on the 75,000 families in the U.S. who have at least $50 million in net worth. NAICU President David L. Warren, Ph.D. released the following statement regarding Sen. Warren’s plan: 

“Of course I would have deep concerns for its effect on private colleges—but it could also hurt public colleges.  In New England, for example, those institutions rely on out of state students. These out of state students would instead be encouraged to stay in their home state and go for free. But I also worry for low-income families because this directs enormous federal resources that could be put into need-based student aid into a specific set of colleges potentially limiting a low-income student’s choice of college. I think we should direct as much federal aid as possible to students who need it. Then those students could afford to go to the college where they decide they fit in best, whether that is a community college, a small private or a large public.”
 

	David L. Warren, Ph.D. (left), accepted the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement from AICUP Board Chair Barbara Mistick, D.M., and President Thomas Foley, J.D.

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania’s (AICUPs) presented NAICU President David L. Warren, Ph.D. with its Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement during the state association's 59^th Annual Meeting at the Harrisburg Hilton & Towers, April 1, 2019.

“David Warren is one of the premier higher education analysts in the world," said Thomas Foley, J.D., president of AICUP.  "During his 25-year career as head of one of the largest education consortiums in the country, he has helped move the bar on affordability, transparency and access for hundreds of thousands of students literally from sea to shining sea.” 

Warren was selected to receive the award for his work representing private higher education both within Pennsylvania as well as on a national level. He has announced his retirement this summer after nearly 26 years as NAICU president.

Presenting the award to Warren were AICUP President Foley and Wilson College President and AICUP Board Chair Barbara Mistick, D.M.  Mistick has been appointed as the next president of NAICU effective September 1, 2019.