News and Updates

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) held its 2026 NCICU Annual Meeting March 24-25 in Asheville, NC. Presided over by NCICU Board Chair and Shaw University President Dr. Paulette Dillard, presided at the two-day event, which focused on the evolving landscape of higher education, state and federal public policy, and the continued success of collaborative programs like NC College Connect.

“Serving as Chair of this board during such a pivotal time for higher education is a profound honor,” said NCICU Board Chair and Shaw University President Dr. Paulette Dillard. “The discussions we’ve had here underscore our shared commitment to excellence. By coming together to address issues in accreditation, student health, and state and federal policy, we ensure that our respective institutions remain anchors of opportunity for students across North Carolina.”

The meeting opened with a First General Session focused on accreditation and statewide updates. Leaders heard from Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt, President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), alongside former SACSCOC Board Chair Blaine Hansen of Lees-McRae College and current Board Member Dr. Connie Ledoux Book, President of Elon University. The session concluded with remarks from the Honorable Devdutta Sangvai, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. That evening, NCICU recognized presidents who will be retiring in 2026. Those include presidents Gary Brown of Louisburg College, Lynn Morton of William Peace University, Tony Floyd of Mars Hill University, Suzan Wente of Wake Forest University, and Kelly Propst of Cabarrus College of Health Sciences.

“Our annual meeting serves as a vital opportunity for our sector to align our mission with the ever-changing needs of our students and the state,” said NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. “The collaboration that took place in Asheville reinforces the collective strength of our 36 campuses. We also deeply appreciate our corporate partners whose support ensures we can continue providing world-class educational opportunities in North Carolina.”

The second day featured a keynote address from the Honorable Brad B. Briner, State Treasurer of North Carolina. His remarks preceded a comprehensive update on NCICU programs, including NCICU Transfer Pathways, the SAS grant, Ethics Bowl, and the S.T.A.R. Scholarship. Additional updates were also provided on the Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) grant and on the remarkable growth of the NC College Connect direct-admission initiative.

During discussion of the fundraising efforts of the Independent College Fund of North Carolina (ICFNC), Tim Smith of McGriff Insurance (now Marsh) was named Vice Chair of the ICFNC Advisory Board. In his new role, Smith will assist ICFNC Advisory Board Chair Matthew Socha’s efforts in securing scholarships, sponsorships, and grants that directly support students attending NCICU campuses.

Generous sponsorship by Aramark, Dean Dorton, JPMorgan Chase, McMillan Pazdan Smith, NWN, TIAA, and Womble Bond Dickinson supported the event.

Click here to view a full gallery of photos from the 2026 NCICU Annual Meeting.

The post NCICU Convenes 2026 Annual Meeting; Highlights Strategic Growth & Leadership Transitions appeared first on NCICU.