MEDIA CONTACT: Stephanie Skordas, 336.758.3826 or [email protected] Cheryl Walker, 336.758.6073 or [email protected]
Newswise — (Winston-Salem, N.C.) February 1, 2012 -- Today, members of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) elected Wake Forest University President Nathan O. Hatch as chair of its board of directors.
NAICU represents private, nonprofit colleges and universities on policy issues with the federal government, such as those affecting student aid, taxation, and government regulation. The chair is a four-year position responsible for convening the 44-member board, which governs an organization with more than 1,000 members nationwide.
"The vitality and diversity of private colleges and universities have long been distinctive of American life,” said Hatch. “Today these institutions face a wide range of challenges as they seek to serve students and the public more effectively. It is a privilege to work together on important issues such as financial aid, access, and accountability."
Hatch became Wake Forest’s thirteenth president on July 1, 2005. His leadership at Wake Forest has been characterized by achievements on four fronts: 1) clarifying Wake Forest’s mission and strategic plan; 2) assembling a remarkable team of leaders; 3) making significant realignments in business and medicine to better position the University; and 4) undertaking bold initiatives to make standardized tests optional for applicants and to develop new programs to educate the whole person.
Hatch is an active leader in American higher education and in local and community affairs. He recently served on the board of the American Council on Education, and he is currently a member of the Division I Board of Directors of the NCAA. He has also been very active in community development in Winston Salem. A board member of the United Way of Forsyth County, he also served as Chairman of the 2010 United Way Campaign. Most recently, he served as vice-chair of NAICU.
“President Hatch was selected by his peers because of his expertise in the field, proven leadership, and commitment to America’s college students,” said NAICU President David L. Warren. “He assumes his responsibilities at a time of great challenge and transformation for American higher education.”
NAICU has served as the unified national voice of independent higher education since 1976 and its member institutions enroll nine out of every 10 students attending private institutions. Today, through new communication technologies, an improved governance structure, and increased member participation, NAICU has become an even more effective and respected participant in the political process.
NAICU staff meets with policymakers, tracks campus trends, conducts research, analyzes higher education issues, publishes information, helps coordinate state-level activities, and advises members of legislative and regulatory developments with potential impact on their institutions. In addition, NAICU has spearheaded several major public initiatives, such as the Student Aid Alliance – an ambitious effort to enhance funding for existing student aid programs – and the nonpartisan National Campus Voter Registration Project that has helped member institutions conduct both voter education programs and campaigns to register students and employees in the last three congressional elections.
About Wake Forest UniversityWake Forest University combines the best traditions of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. The University’s graduate school of arts and sciences, divinity school, and nationally ranked schools of law, medicine and business enrich our intellectual environment. Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu.
About NAICUNAICU reflects the diversity of private, nonprofit higher education in the United States. Members include traditional liberal arts colleges, major research universities, church- and faith-related institutions, historically black colleges and universities, women's colleges, performing and visual arts institutions, two-year colleges, and schools of law, medicine, engineering, business, and other professions. NAICU is committed to celebrating and protecting this diversity of the nation's private colleges and universities.
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