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NCICU Hosts 2025 Annual Meeting in Cary, NC

The North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) held its Annual Meeting on March 24–25, 2025, at The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary, NC. This year's event gathered college presidents from the state's 36 private, nonprofit institutions along with corporate leaders from the Independent College Fund of North Carolina (ICFNC) Advisory Board. The focus was on strategic planning, collaboration across institutions, and engagement in public policy initiatives aimed at improving higher education.

A Platform for Leadership and Collaboration

The event began with an address by NC Senate President Pro Tempore, Phil Berger, who emphasized the critical role of independent higher education in developing talent across North Carolina. Dr. A. Hope Williams, the president of NCICU, expressed gratitude to state leaders for their ongoing support of the organization’s mission. She stated, “These conversations are essential as we work together to increase college access, meet workforce needs, and prepare the next generation of leaders.”

Attendees were treated to a keynote presentation by Dr. Laura Ullrich, Senior Regional Economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Her data-driven insights provided valuable context regarding the current economic outlook and its implications for colleges and universities in North Carolina.

Legislative Engagement

A legislative reception and dinner featured key political figures influential in the state’s budget decisions. Among those in attendance were:

• - Representative Dean Arp (R-Union)
• - Representative Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke)
• - Senator Michael Lee (R-New Hanover)
• - Representative David Willis (R-Union)
• - Jeff Elmore, former House member and current senior policy advisor to House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell)

These discussions highlighted the unique contributions of independent colleges to the state’s education and economic development strategies. Dr. Williams thanked lawmakers for their partnership, focusing on key advocacy efforts aimed at increasing investment in programs such as the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship.

Keynote Addresses and Policy Support

During the second day of the meeting, Governor Josh Stein and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green attended their first Annual Meeting since taking office. Green remarked on the importance of partnerships between public schools and independent institutions, asserting, “North Carolina's public schools are extremely pleased to partner with North Carolina's terrific independent colleges and universities as we work to ensure that our 1.5 million students have access to high-quality education.”

Dr. Williams expressed her appreciation for the Governor's inclusion of priorities that support independent colleges in his budget recommendations. The discussion also centered on NCICU’s 31 Educator Preparation Programs and their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities across the state.

Governor Stein highlighted the ongoing investments in the people of North Carolina, stating, “Whether through scholarships that open doors for students or by preparing the next generation of health care and workforce professionals, these institutions help move our state forward—and I'm proud to support their work.”

New Leadership and Advisory Board Updates

The Annual Meeting concluded with the election of NCICU Board officers, set to serve from 2025 to 2027:

• - Chair: Dr. Paulette Dillard, Shaw University
• - Vice Chair: Dr. Rhett Brown, Wingate University
• - Secretary: Dr. Larry Czarda, Greensboro College
• - Treasurer: Dr. Nido Qubein, High Point University

NCICU recognized Thomas Varnadore for his service as the ICFNC Advisory Board Chair and welcomed Matthew Socha as the new Chair. Socha, with extensive experience in nonprofit finance, promises to guide the board into a new era.

Additionally, three new corporate members joined the ICFNC Advisory Board, including:

• - Lindsay Efird, Assistant Vice President of Sales at Universal Leaf North America
• - Rob Garofalo, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Truist
• - Bobby Gauthier, Director at FORVIS Mazars

Colleen Kinser, Director of ICFNC, stated that the addition of these corporate leaders would enhance the organization's mission to support higher education in North Carolina.

Reinforcing Public-Private Partnerships

The 2025 Annual Meeting reinforced the significance of partnerships between public and private sectors, legislative collaboration, and corporate engagement in ensuring opportunities for students at independent colleges throughout the state. The event served as a catalyst for future initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and workforce readiness in North Carolina.

For additional information about the meeting, including a photo gallery, please engage with our ongoing coverage. The NCICU continues to advocate for North Carolina's independent higher education institutions through research, funding opportunities, and collaborative efforts geared toward fostering a prosperous educational landscape.