Spotlight

About CICV

The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia was founded in 1971 and currently operates as Virginia Private Colleges, a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization representing 28 accredited nonprofit independent colleges and universities in Virginia.

CICV is the collective voice of Virginia private higher education.

Emory & Henry University

Emory & Henry University

Eastern Mennonite University

Eastern Mennonite University

Harrisonburg, VA

Hollins University

Hollins University

University of Richmond

University of Richmond

George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus

George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus

Mary Baldwin University

Mary Baldwin University

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Union University

Virginia Union University

Bluefield University

Bluefield University

Roanoke College

Roanoke College

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Southern Virginia University

Southern Virginia University

Buena Vista, VA

Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar, VA

Liberty University

Liberty University

Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney, VA

Regent University

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA

Randolph College

Randolph College

Hampton University

Hampton University

University of Lynchburg

University of Lynchburg

Randolph-Macon College

Randolph-Macon College

Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University

Marymount University

Marymount University

Shenandoah University

Shenandoah University

Appalachian School of Law

Appalachian School of Law

Appalachian College of Pharmacy

Appalachian College of Pharmacy

Averett University

Averett University

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA

Our Campuses

Eastern Mennonite University

Hollins University

University of Richmond

George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus

Mary Baldwin University

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Union University

Roanoke College

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Southern Virginia University

Sweet Briar College

Liberty University

Regent University

Randolph College

Hampton University

University of Lynchburg

Randolph-Macon College

Marymount University

Appalachian School of Law

Appalachian College of Pharmacy

Averett University

Bridgewater College

Students

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Get the facts about a private college education in Virginia

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Virginia’s private colleges & universities offer a wide and diverse variety of thought, curriculum, and student experiences.

Private higher education institutions across the Commonwealth

Students served by Virginia's private higher education institutions

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Recent News

CICV Announces 2024-25 Officers

Recent News

CICV Announces 2024-25 Officers

CICV

CICV Welcomes New Member Regent University

CICV

VA Private Colleges Celebrate Non-Profit Private Higher Ed Excellence in Nursing

CICV

Important Update

Registration Open for 2025 Counselor Tour

vaprivatecolleges

Virginia Private Colleges offices are closed today

Virginia Private Colleges offices are closed today to recognize Veterans Day and honor and thank all who serve in the military to protect our republic.

Virginia Private Colleges is proud to celebrate th

Virginia Private Colleges is proud to celebrate the National First-Generation College Celebration today! This annual commemoration highlights the 1965 signing of the Higher Education Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson, which created essential federal financial aid programs providing for greater access and affordability in higher education. Serving a large percentage of first-generation students, our institutions honor the resilience and achievements of these students as they pursue their dreams and shape a brighter future! #NationalFirstGenDay

🏛️ Thank you to everyone who joined us for th

🏛️ Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Virginia Private Colleges Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Seminar at The Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg!

Attendees gained valuable insights into the Virginia Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program’s benefits for private colleges, explored advocacy efforts, and learned from expert-led sessions on project eligibility, legal compliance, and successful case studies. Special thanks to our speakers and sponsors from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Preservation Virginia, Hill Studio, @williams.mullen, Brown Edwards, @hsc1776, and Commonwealth Advisors Capital.

Looking forward to continued progress in historic preservation for Virginia’s private colleges!

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who expre

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Last week, Virginia Private Colleges proudly parti

Last week, Virginia Private Colleges proudly participated in an impactful event hosted by The Hunt Institute led by Javaid Siddiqui. This conference brings together Virginia House and Senate members from the Education and money committees with leaders in higher education policy. The event was a valuable opportunity to engage with policymakers and discuss critical education issues.

Dr. Tiffany Franks, President of @averettnews, was a featured panelist, shedding light on the vital role that Federal Pell Grants play in expanding access and affordability for students pursuing higher education. Her insights highlighted the importance of financial aid in ensuring that more students have the opportunity to attend college and succeed.

Established in 2001 to honor the legacy of former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., The Hunt Institute has long been a leader in inspiring and informing policymakers on key education issues. Since becoming an independent nonprofit in 2016 and partnering with Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, The Hunt Institute has continued to drive strategic discussions to enhance educational outcomes and student success.

We are grateful to have had this opportunity to contribute to the dialogue on how we can make education more accessible and affordable for all Virginians! #VirginiaPrivateColleges #EducationPolicy #FederalPellGrants #HigherEd #TheHuntInstitute

Virginia Private Colleges is proud to be a partici

Virginia Private Colleges is proud to be a participating host of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Conference – Strengthening Our Workforce and Economic Future. This year’s terrific event focuses on innovative business-education partnerships that are driving Virginia’s workforce development and economic growth. Higher education leaders in attendance include Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, Deputy Secretary Nicholas Kent, SCHEV director Scott Fleming and others!

@shenandoahuniversity President Tracy Fitzsimmons served on a panel discussion around “Collaborations in Higher Education and Workforce Training Programs,” and joined by Presidents of George Mason University and Paul D. Camp Community College. We appreciate President Fitzsimmons amazing leadership on behalf of all our 28 members.

#VAWorkforce2024 #InnovativePartnerships #FutureofWork #VABusiness

Virginia Private Colleges was honored to participa

Virginia Private Colleges was honored to participate in Congressman @benclineforcongress District Higher Education Summit hosted by Hollins University President Mary Dana Hinton. Attendees included presidents of two community colleges, Radford University president, a representative of the Roanoke Higher Education Center, and Roanoke College President Frank Shushok. College leaders shared common ground on value of a degree and the collective goal to make degrees accessible, affordable and achievable on time. Among topics of discussion were concerns about the impacts of FAFSA, the high cost of compliance from new federal DOE gainful employment and DOL overtime rule regulations, and the practical influence of accreditation.

We are proud to support National #TransferWeek, wi

We are proud to support National #TransferWeek, with special events planned by many of our member institutions. Check out: https://www.bit.ly/transfersweek to learn more about special programming at many of our colleges!

Today, Virginia Private Colleges celebrates the in

Today, Virginia Private Colleges celebrates the inauguration of @marybaldwinuniversity President Jeff Stein, whose leadership brings new energy and vision to a valued member of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia.

The impressive ceremony highlighted important symbols, such as Mary Baldwin’s torch, which represents the enduring mission to lead students toward purpose and service, and serves as a reminder of an eternal work to perform as their motto, Non pro tempore sed aeternitate—“Not for time, but for eternity”—declares.

In his inspiring address, President Stein invoked the teachings of mystic Isaac ben Solomon Luria by suggesting that Mary Baldwin and her students can play a role in reuniting scattered sparks of divine light and repair a broken world through education and purposeful service. Though challenges may arise, this university intends to continue to transform lives and uplift communities far beyond the present.

Congratulations to President Stein and the entire Mary Baldwin community on this significant day in your history. #AllIn

Today, Virginia Private Colleges met with House Ap

Today, Virginia Private Colleges met with House Appropriations Committee Member Del. Willett @rodneyfordelegate and Harrison Hayes, Executive Director of the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA), to discuss how private colleges contribute to Virginia’s health workforce, particularly in nursing. Dr. Cindy Rubenstein, Chair of the Nursing Department at @randolphmacon, joined the conversation, focusing on the creation of a Nursing Workforce Center, boosting investment in the Earn2Learn grant program, solving clinical placement challenges, and aligning graduate TAG with undergraduate awards. Did you know that 1/2 of all student debt nationally is in graduate education? TAG helps make healthcare careers more affordable and accessible for Virginians! #Healthcare #Nursing #HigherEd #TAG

Virginia Private Colleges attended the National As

Virginia Private Colleges attended the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) Fall Leadership meeting. NAICU serves as the unified national voice of private nonprofit higher education.

During the event, state executives received greetings from @hollinsuniversity President and NAICU Chair, Mary Dana Hinton. President Hinton highlighted the importance of private education as a public good and expressed gratitude for the states’ active role in advocacy.

The meeting also featured a presentation on the National Conference of State Legislatures’ task force report, “State-Led Strategy to Enhance the Value of Degrees.”

State executives also recognized long time NAICU government relations professional Sarah Flanagan for over 3 decades of service to nonprofit higher education. #HigherEd #PrivateEducation #Advocacy #CICV #NAICU

The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, I

The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, Inc. (CICV) announced the election of a new slate of officers at its Annual Meeting on September 25,
2024. The 28-member Board of Directors, representing nonprofit Virginia colleges and universities, selected new leadership to guide CICV through the fiscal year that began on October 1. Hollins University President Mary Dana Hinton has been named Chair of the Board. University of Richmond President Kevin Hallock will serve as Vice Chair, and Roanoke College President Frank Shushok will assume the role of Secretary/Treasurer.

“Presidents Hinton, Hallock, and Shushok collectively represent a smart and dynamic voice for higher education in Virginia. With their leadership, our organization is poised for another year of impactful advocacy at the state capitol as we share the value and impact of independent higher education in the Commonwealth. These new officers’ collective vision and experience will be a great guide for collaboration among our members,” said CICV President Christopher K. Peace.

Yesterday’s Virginia Chamber of Commerce Workfor

Yesterday’s Virginia Chamber of Commerce Workforce and Education Executive Committee meeting focused on important topics such as school readiness, building a strong and qualified child care workforce, addressing child care deserts, and the need for public-private partnerships in tackling these challenges. Virginia Private Colleges can play a role in supporting early education initiatives because childcare systems are essential to ensuring a bright future for Virginia’s students and workforce! Committee members also discussed the development of Blueprint 2035.

#EarlyChildhoodEducation #VAChamber

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