AICU Rhode Island actively engages with partners across New England and at the national level in order to provide federal and state level policy and program leadership on higher education issues. These partnerships enable AICU Rhode Island to better support cooperation between Rhode Island colleges and universities and fellow institutions and educational organizations both in the New England and nationally.
In addition, AICU Rhode Island represents its membership on the national level through the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and is one of 38 state associations nationwide working to strengthen and address the needs of independent higher education through advocacy and public policy.
AICU Rhode Island and its eight member institutions are members of the National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (NAICU). Along with National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities State Executives (NAICUSE), NAICU oversees national policy strategy for independent higher education. AICU Rhode Island and its members work and interact with the federal delegation in Rhode Island and beyond, and with federal policy leaders in the nation’s capital. AICU Rhode Island also has a seat on NAICU’s Student Accountability Committee.
The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) serves as the unified national voice of private nonprofit higher education. Learn more about the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
AICU Rhode Island is a proud member of the American Council on Education. We are a frequent signatory on their numerous letters to Congress regarding a variety of issues that are important to the sector.
ACE is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster imaginative, high-quality practice. They convene, organize, mobilize, and lead advocacy efforts and help colleges and universities best serve their students, communities, and the wider public good.
AICU Rhode Island is a member of of the National Association of Independent College and University State Executives (NAICUSE), a group composed of the leaders of the 39 state associations representing independent colleges and universities. The group performs critical work in advocacy activities at the federal level in cooperation with NAICU. Regular meetings both in-person and virtual also allow for open dialogue between the various state associations and keep members informed of issues affecting independent higher education across the country.
AICU Rhode Island is an active member of the New England Council and serves on the Higher Education Policy Committee.
The Council is a non-partisan alliance of businesses, academic and health institutions, and public and private organizations throughout New England formed to promote economic growth and a high quality of life in the New England region. Learn more about the New England Council.
As a Governor’s appointment to the New England Board of Higher Education’s board, AICU Rhode Island works with NEBHE on issues related to higher education in New England.
The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) promotes greater educational opportunities and services for the residents of New England. Learn more about the New England Board of Higher Education.
AICU Rhode Island, along with the Connecticut Conference of of Independent Colleges (CCIC), works with the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Massachusetts (AICUM) to identify regional collaboration opportunities in Southern New England.
Established in 1967 by college and university presidents, AICUM is the leading voice on public policy issues affecting independent higher education in Massachusetts. Learn more about the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts.
AICU Rhode Island, along with the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Massachusetts (AICUM), works with the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC) to identify regional collaboration opportunities in Southern New England.
Founded in 1932, the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC) represents sixteen accredited nonprofit independent colleges and universities in Connecticut. Learn more about the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges.