President Kerry Walk Elected to Board of Trustees of Higher Education Policy Commission

CICU member colleges constitute the largest private sector of higher education in the world and confer 50% of bachelor’s degrees, 73% of master’s degrees, and 79% of doctoral and first-professional degrees earned in New York state. CICU’s Board of Trustees is composed of chief executive officers and institutional trustees who represent the diversity of member colleges’ institutional type, size, and geographic location.

“Each of the new board members will be instrumental in the leadership and guidance provided by the Board of Trustees,” said Drew Bogner, interim CICU president, in a news release from CICU. “In a year of immense challenges facing higher education, the diversity in perspectives will allow CICU to continue to best advocate for our sector and students. I thank each of these leaders for their commitment and service to the higher education community in New York State.”

Kerry Walk, Ph.D., took office as MMC’s eighth president on July 1, 2015. Since then, she has led the College in opening a new residence hall, launching a signature college-to-career initiative, founding an educational institute for high school students and adult learners, strengthening MMC’s prison education programs, and, most recently, constructing the Judith Mara Carson Center for Visual Arts, anticipated to be a dynamic educational, community, and cultural hub when it opens in summer 2022.

“I am deeply honored to serve on the CICU board at this critical moment in our history, when a global health crisis and a related economic crisis have upended higher education,” said President Walk. “CICU’s focus on advocating for student aid programs is particularly important right now as students and families cope with the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The CICU has worked to provide guidance for private, independent, nonprofit New York State colleges and universities as they persevere through the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Recent accomplishments include publishing COVID-19 testing data for member campuses and distributing an economic impact report that examines the growth of higher education in New York City. Prior to the Fall 2020 semester, the CICU convened a task force and published a detailed report with recommendations and guidelines for safely reopening higher education in New York State.

About New York’s CICU
Founded in 1956 by a small group of private, not-for-profit college and university presidents, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) now represents 100+ independent campuses across New York State. Although not a government agency, CICU is an educational corporation formed under the New York State Regents. Its mission is to develop consensus among a diverse membership and to advance higher education public policy.

Published: March 31, 2021