Wow, what a week!  On Wednesday, we brought to a close one our most successful Annual Meeting and Advocacy Day conferences.  In terms of programming, registrations, attendance, sponsorships and participation in Advocacy Day meetings on Capitol Hill, this year’s meeting was a resounding success.

The relationship building with Members of Congress, the camaraderie among colleagues, and the strong commitment to continue our efforts to advocate for our students and all of independent higher education were all on display.  It was such an energizing meeting that I know has set us up to be successful in our efforts during this year.

As always, our advocacy efforts are a key part of the week.  While we’re still analyzing data and feedback, we know that we had over 300 meetings on Capitol Hill with Members of Congress and/or their staff, representing 37 states. Such great coverage is a testament to your willingness to do your part on behalf of our entire sector.  Additionally, the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC) reception included remarks by CICC Co-Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA); Bob Latta (R-OH); Kay Granger (R-TX), chair of the House Appropriations Committee; and Ben Cline (R-VA), reinforcing the importance of the Caucus on the Hill and to our work. 

Other highlights of the week:

• Nearly 500 colleagues attended this year’s conference.
• Representatives from the Departments of Education and State, and key education staff from both parties in the House and Senate, addressed attendees.
• Both current and former Members of Congress spoke at events during the meeting.
• We welcomed new and first-time presidents and introduced our incoming class of Board members.
• For the second year in a row, President Biden listed increasing the Pell Grant as one of his higher education priorities during his State of the Union address. See more on the president’s speech in our story below.
• Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, released the results of a new Marist Poll during the meeting. The poll’s findings show that 65% of Americans believe higher education leads to better jobs and an improved quality of life. It also shows incredibly strong support for doubling the Pell Grant. Seventy-four percent of Americans support doubling the maximum award, which is consistent with the polling NAICU conducted in 2021.

Today’s Washington Update also reports on the first hearing of the 118^th Congress for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the comment letter that NAICU and 34 of our member associations sent to the Department of Education regarding the agency’s higher education accountability proposal.

Thank you to all who were able to make it to Washington to highlight and celebrate private, nonprofit higher education. I hope you will save the date for next year’s meeting, which will be held February 4-7, 2024 in Washington, DC once again at the Salamander Hotel DC.