Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU)

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors for their generous support of the 69th Annual Meeting! ?? Your commitment to higher education empowers institutions, students, and communities, driving innovation and opportunity for all. We’re grateful for your partnership in advancing independent higher education in New York and beyond! #CICUAnnualMeeting #ThankYouSponsors #HigherEd #EducationPartners #SupportingStudents

?? BREAKING NEWS ?? The countdown is ON! ? Next week, we’re bringing together the brightest minds in higher education for CICU’s 69th Annual Meeting at the Albany Capital Center! ?? From the Federal & State Higher Ed Landscape plenary session to deep dives into Strategic Communications and International Student Recruitment & Retention, this is where the future of higher ed takes shape. Get ready to connect, learn, and spark change! ?? See you there! ?? #CICUAnnualMeeting #HigherEd #EducationPolicy #StrategicComms #InternationalStudents #AdvancingHigherEd

Caucus Weekend 2025 was a huge success! ???? CICU was proud to be present, hosting an engaging HEOP panel on Saturday morning ?? and manning our booth ?? to highlight New York’s higher education independent sector institutions. It was an honor to participate in the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, and Asian Caucus Legislative Conference—a true celebration of unity ?? and progress for New York. A huge thank you to Assemblymember Hyndman for hosting our panel ??, Senator Jackson and Assemblymember Brian Cunningham for sharing their inspiring remarks ???, and our amazing panelists for sharing their powerful stories on the importance of HEOP. Together, we’re paving the way for New York to lead as a premier example nationwide. Looking forward to an even bigger and better next year! ??????

"It was all good just about a week ago... ??? We were so excited to welcome students from across New York State to Albany for #AdvocacyDay2025! These incredible student leaders came together to advocate for themselves and their peers, highlighting the importance of student aid and opportunity programs that make higher education accessible for all. It was amazing to see the entire higher education ecosystem—students, faculty, and leaders—uniting and advocating together for the future of student aid. A huge thank you to the students for using their voices and sharing their stories, and to the legislators who took the time to meet with them and continue to support student aid in New York. Your commitment helps ensure that higher education remains a pathway to success for all! ???? #HigherEdMatters #NYStudentsLead #StandUpForStudentAid"

?? Join Us for an Important Discussion on HEOP! ?? We’re excited to host a panel at the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Caucus Weekend! ???? ??Hearing Room A, Legislative Office Building ?? 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM This panel will explore the history and impact of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), the legacy of Arthur O. Eve, and the transformative role of financial aid and opportunity programs in the independent sector. Moderated by Assemblywoman Hyndman, the discussion will feature expert panelists and HEOP alumni, sharing their insights and success stories. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on expanding access to higher education! For more details on legislative members and panelists participating, please refer to our flyer. ?? Be sure to also visit our booth in the Concourse from 9 AM – 4 PM to learn more about our work and how we’re supporting students across New York! We look forward to seeing you there! #HEOP #HigherEducation #CaucusWeekend #StudentSuccess #EquityInEducation

?? TOMORROW is the day! ?? We are so excited to be in Albany for Student Advocacy Day to fight for student aid and ensure that ALL New Yorkers have access to higher education! ???? Join students from across the state as we rally to protect and expand critical opportunity programs like HEOP, EOP, TAP, CSTEP, and STEP. These programs change lives, open doors, and create pathways to success. Let’s make our voices heard loud and clear! ????? Use #StandUpForStudentAid and help us advocate for a brighter future! ?? Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY ??? TOMORROW – February 11, 2025, at 12 PM #HigherEd #StudentAdvocacy #NYStudents #FinancialAidMatters #EducationForAll

?? Student Empowerment Day 2025: A Powerful Call for Equity in Higher Education! Today, advocates, students, and higher education leaders from across New York came together for Student Empowerment Day, calling for increased funding and support for college students with disabilities. ???? With the support of Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Harvey Epstein—who have been at the forefront of this cause alongside NYSDSC for years—we reinforced the urgent need for $15 million in funding to expand access, inclusion, and essential services for students with disabilities. We also pushed for the passage of S.3369 to expand state financial aid options for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ?? Swipe through to see: ?? First photo: Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and Senator Andrew Gounardes, longtime champions of this cause. ?? Second photo: Annalise Simons, a student advocate from Bard College, sharing her powerful perspective. ?? Third photo: Beth Myers, Executive Director of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University, speaking on the importance of inclusion. ?? Last photo: Taryn from CICU, representing our ongoing commitment to advocacy and equity in higher education. CICU is proud to stand with our partners at the New York State Disability Services Council, student advocates, and legislative leaders to ensure every student—regardless of ability—has the resources they need to succeed. Thank you to all who joined us in this critical advocacy effort. Your voices are making a difference! ?? #StudentEmpowermentDay #HigherEdEquity #CICU #NYSDSC #DisabilityAdvocacy #EducationForAll

"Advocating for the future of higher education! ??? CICU President Brabham, along with our Directors of Education Policy and Government Relations, attended #NAICU2025 in Washington, D.C. to engage in critical discussions on the evolving higher ed landscape. We had the opportunity to meet with Senator Chuck Schumer, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Yvette Clarke's staff, and Rep. Joe Morelle to ensure New York’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities have a strong voice in policy decisions. Advocacy matters, especially in times of change! #HigherEdAdvocacy #NAICUAnnualMeeting #CICUinDC"

?? **#MemberMonday Spotlight: Hobart and William Smith Colleges** ?? Big news from HWS! ?? The upcoming **Fish Center for the Sciences** will span nearly 40,000 sq. ft., featuring cutting-edge classrooms, labs, and spaces for advanced STEM research. This transformative facility, made possible by a $25M gift from alumna **Cynthia Fish '82** and John Fish, will be a hub for innovation and collaboration on campus. ??? Learn more about this exciting addition to HWS: https://lnkd.in/gisMEnBe #HWS #STEMInnovation #CICU #HigherEducation

?? STAND UP FOR STUDENT AID! ???? Join students from across New York State on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Legislative Office Building in Albany to make your voice heard! ??? We are rallying to protect and expand student financial aid and opportunity programs like HEOP, EOP, TAP, CSTEP, and STEP—lifelines that open doors to higher education and a brighter future. But there’s more work to do. Too many students still face barriers to success, and we must demand more funding and equity in access to education. Use #StandUpForStudentAid and be part of the movement to ensure all New Yorkers can attend the college that best fits their goals! Let’s make our voices heard and fight for a stronger, more equitable future! ??????? @CICU_NY #HigherEd #StudentAdvocacy #NYStudents #FinancialAidMatters #EducationForAll