North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities

10/12/2026

✨ Wonderful Things Are Happening at NCICU! ✨

It’s been a busy and exciting time at NCICU as we continue to bring people together, strengthen partnerships, and support collaboration across North Carolina’s independent colleges and universities!

From the EPP Deans Meeting on October 2 to another successful CFNC Regional Conference at High Point University and our NCICU Data Portal Training Meeting, we’ve been making great strides in supporting higher education across our state.

And we’re not slowing down! We’re looking forward to our upcoming Administrative Group Meeting on October 13 at Salem College. 🎓

There’s always something exciting happening at NCICU! ✨ Stay in the loop by subscribing to our newsletter for the latest news, upcoming events, exciting partnerships, and inspiring highlights from North Carolina’s independent colleges and universities.

👉 Sign up here: https://ncicu.org/newsletter-signup/

10/10/2026

[NEWS!] NC Community College System, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities NCICU Launch Statewide Transfer Pathways Platform to Streamline Degree Completion

“Every credit a student earns at one of our colleges should count toward where they’re headed. When credits don’t transfer, students pay for it with time and money they don’t have,” said Dr. Monty Sullivan, Acting President & CEO of the NC Community College System. “NCICU Transfer Pathways shows students the road before they start down it. That’s two- and four-year schools working together for students.”

🌐 Read more: https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/news/ncicu-transfer-pathways/

10/09/2026

🚀 BIG NEWS: NCICU and North Carolina Community Colleges have officially launched NCICU Transfer Pathways—a new digital portal designed to streamline degree completion for students across North Carolina!

Backed by over $2M in philanthropic funding and developed in partnership with Acadeum, this platform connects institutions from both sectors statewide through the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA), giving students seamless course-equivalency mapping, clear degree tracking, and expanded transfer opportunities.

Thank you to our funders, campus leaders, and partners for making this vision a reality for North Carolina students!

📖 Read the full announcement: https://ncicu.org/2026/10/09/ncicu-launches-statewide-transfer-pathways-platform-in-partnership-with-ncccs-to-streamline-degree-completion/
The Cannon Foundation Inc. The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations The Teagle Foundation ECMC Foundation John M. Belk Endowment Gates Foundation Ascendium Education Group Lumina Foundation

NCICU, in partnership with the NCCCS, today announced the official public launch of NCICU Transfer Pathways

10/03/2026

NCICU Director of Communications Demarcus Williams attended the CFNC Regional Conference at Queens University of Charlotte and Cape Fear Community College to share information about NC College Connect and how it helps students navigate their path to higher education.

We’re proud to connect with educators, counselors, and college access professionals across North Carolina to expand awareness of opportunities available to students. 🎓

10/01/2026

🎓 Complete Your FAFSA & RDS — It Could Open the Door to More Financial Aid!

Before deciding that an independent college or university is “too expensive,” take the first step: complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Residency Determination Service (RDS).

Completing these applications may help determine your eligibility for institutional aid, NCNBS, Pell Grants, and other financial aid opportunities. 💰

✨ The price you see isn’t always the price you pay!

Independent colleges and universities may be more affordable than you think—but you won’t know your actual financial aid options until you complete your FAFSA and RDS.

📌 Complete your FAFSA. Complete your RDS. Explore your options. Know your true college cost. For more information visit https://fafsa.gov!

09/30/2026

🎓💙 September is National Student-Parent Month!

NCICU is proud to recognize the students across North Carolina who are balancing higher education with raising and caring for their children.
From online programs to in-person opportunities, our independent colleges and universities are helping student-parents pursue their educational goals.

Financial support can make a meaningful difference. NCICU offers scholarship opportunities for which student-parents may be eligible, including the Student Teacher Assistance for Retention (STAR) Scholarship, which supports college seniors in educator preparation programs and helps strengthen the K–12 teacher pipeline.

One STAR recipient shared that the scholarship helped ease the financial pressure of working full time while providing for her family and paying for school. 💙

Want to support student-parents and help create more opportunities? Learn more about giving to NCICU scholarships and student success: https://ncicu.org/give



Photo credits: Mrs. T., MPA

09/29/2026

Congratulations to North Carolina Wesleyan University, on the official opening of their new School of Sports and Entertainment! 🎓👏

We’re excited to see this fantastic new opportunity unfold for students across North Carolina.

09/25/2026

Thank you, President Tracy Parkinson and Mars Hill University, for hosting this critical meeting on the recovery and ongoing work in Western North Carolina. We join all of North Carolina in supporting these efforts. We have made great progress, but much work remains. We appreciate Governor Josh Stein, the NC General Assembly, and the Independent College Fund of NC for their continued and significant support as recovery efforts continue.

09/24/2026

🌿 Spotlighting Excellence in NC Independent Higher Education! 🌿

We are thrilled to celebrate Lees-McRae College on its national partnership with Emmy®-winning conservationist Jeff Corwin for the upcoming TV series, Jeff Corwin’s Southern Wild! 📺✨

Filmed right here across North Carolina, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic coast, this exciting series showcases how Lees-McRae students, faculty, and alumni are leading hands-on wildlife conservation and rehabilitation in our state.

This incredible partnership highlights the power of experiential learning at NC independent colleges and puts North Carolina’s rich, natural environment in the national spotlight.

Congratulations to President Dr. Lee King, the faculty, and the inspiring students at Lees-McRae on this landmark achievement! 🐾 Check out the premiere on ABC stations starting October 3.

🔗 Read the full story: https://www.lmc.edu/about/news-center/articles/2026/jeff-corwin-partners-with-lees-mcrae-college-for-new-north-carolina-television-series-jeff-corwins-southern-wild.htm

Calling all fans of North Carolina nature! You are invited to the world premiere of "Jeff Corwin's Southern Wild," the new television series highlighting some of the animals, plants, and places that make North Carolina such a special state.

The show premieres on ABC stations nationwide on Saturday, Oct. 3, but Lees-McRae students, employees, and friends will have a chance to get an early look at this exciting new series on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Beginning at 7 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium, the event will feature an exclusive screening of the first episode of "Jeff Corwin's Southern Wild," followed by a Q&A panel with the show’s host and other special guests.

Join us for this special event as we showcase the state and the college on the big screen! Read more about "Jeff Corwin's Southern Wild": https://bit.ly/4iuR58H