Building Community Serving Our Members
CIC strengthens independent colleges and universities and supports campus leaders on current and pressing priorities in higher education.
-
2026 Institute for Chief Academic Officers
This annually held meeting brings chief academic officers of independent colleges and universities together, and includes special workshops for new CAOs and experienced CAOs. This year's Institute will be jointly held with chief advancement, enrollment, financial, and marketing communication officers.Register Now -
2027 Presidents Institute
The Presidents Institute is an annually held meeting for presidents of independent colleges and universities that includes programs for new presidents and for spouses.Register Now -
2027 New Presidents Program
A leadership development program for college presidents in their first or second year and their spouses or partners that addresses the practical needs and strategic questions for success as leaders of independent colleges and universities.Register Now -
CIC Economic Impact Report Development Resource
CIC offered a virtual workshop on the development of an Economic Impact Report, including a set of resources members can use to create a one- to two-page infographic for use in demonstrating the economic value of your institution to your community.Read More -
Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP)
CIC–TEP is a network of CIC member colleges and universities that are willing to accept as students, tuition-free, full-time employees and their family members. Nearly 440 colleges and universities from 47 states and seven countries are participating.Read More -
CIC Member Directory
Explore a map and search a listing of CIC, TEP, and NetVUE members.Read More
ABOUT CIC
What is an Independent College?
Simply defined, “independent” institutions are governed by boards of private citizens and operate independent of government control. They are nonprofit organizations supported primarily by tuition revenue, philanthropic gifts, and grants from foundations.
Learn More
Belong: An Inclusive Learning Community
Belong is a network of CIC member colleges and universities dedicated to making their campuses more welcoming and inclusive. Designed in partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), Belong offers a suite of professional development resources for faculty and staff to support student belonging in class and campus-wide.
Belong works in concert with your campus’s distinctive mission and values, equipping faculty and staff with evidence-based skills and knowledge that increase student belonging and advance campus retention efforts.
FAST FACTS
CIC Shows Strength in Numbers
Insights, News, & Research
-
President’s Message: A Response to the Department of Education’s Call to Action
Dear CIC campus leaders, The charge to college and university leaders issued Monday by Secretary of Education Linda McMahon offers a mixture of common sense ideas, ideological assumptions, and research university priorities. While I know that you will respond in ways that are appropriate for your own institutional setting, I write today to offer CIC’s […]Read More -
36 Higher Ed Leaders Selected for 2026–27 Executive Leadership Academy
The prestigious Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) kicks off today to prepare seasoned leaders for their next senior administrative role in higher education. The first of two in-person seminars in the yearlong program runs June 16–17 in Washington, DC, and will be led by current and former college presidents along with experts in critical areas pertinent to higher education.Read More -
Pathways to Completion: Ohio Consortium for Transfer Pathways to the Liberal Arts
As a champion for the transformational power of a liberal arts education, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) has long aimed to make independent colleges and universities accessible and welcoming for all students, including community college students who wish to transfer to complete a baccalaureate degree. Following the launch of a successful transfer project in […]Read More -
2026 Workshops for Department and Division Chairs
The 2026 Workshops for Department and Division Chairs will focus on effective strategies to develop leadership skills and an institution-wide vision in the context of uncertainty and change.Read More
Upcoming Events
-
Presidential Renewal Program Fall Webinar
The Presidential Renewal Program is designed to support the personal renewal of experienced member presidents at CIC institutions who will continue to serve in the vital role of the college presidency. In addition to rich content, the seminars provide space for solitude and reflection with a small fellowship of presidents and partners seeking their own renewal. -
NetVUE Big Read Webinar: An Itinerary of Hope for Higher Education
In this webinar, we will hear from Wirzba as he reflects onLove’s Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of Crisis. During the webinar, he will explore major themes from the book and the implications for creative and hopeful approaches to vocational discernment and development. -
Vocation And Experiential Learning: The Call to Mentorship
Given the increasing importance of hands-on, immersive learning in undergraduate education and the vital need for human connection in our work, this gathering invites faculty members, staff, and administrators to consider how vocation, mentorship, and experiential learning intersect in a higher education context.
