Monday, April 2, 2012

Widener University President Named AICUP Board Chair


(Monday, April 02, 2012) Widener University President James T. Harris III has been appointed chair of the Board of Directors for the Association of Independent Colleges and University of Pennsylvania for 2012-2013. AICUP is the only statewide organization that serves exclusively the interests of private colleges and universities in the Commonwealth.
 
Harris has served on the AICUP Board of Directors since 2007, most recently as vice-chair. He also served as secretary/treasurer and as a chair of the Finance Committee. 

“Pennsylvania is blessed with outstanding independent colleges and universities,” Harris said. “These institutions are invaluable to their local and statewide economies and produce high quality graduates each year who go on to become leaders in their chosen professions and in their communities. It’s truly an honor to serve these fine institutions as chair of the AICUP Board of Directors.” 

"Jim Harris has been an active and effective member of AICUP for a number of years,” said AICUP President Don Francis. “Jim understands that private colleges and universities are critically important for their communities and the Commonwealth--not only for the educational benefit they provide their graduates--but also for the economic impact they have on their regions. He is able to articulate the importance of these private educational institutions to policymakers, civic leaders, and other key opinion makers, and his presidential colleagues value Jim's leadership abilities."

In addition to his role on the AICUP board, Harris serves in several local, state and national leadership roles. He is a trustee-at-large for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, vice-chair of the National Campus Compact Board of Directors, vice president of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities Executive Board, and a member of the Project Pericles President’s Council.

AICUP’s mission is to educate policymakers, media representatives, and civic and corporate leaders about the benefits, value and quality education available at Pennsylvania’s independent colleges and universities. This educational effort is intended to secure government and philanthropic support for students and institutions in the independent sector. AICUP further works to create partnerships among its member institutions to enhance their programs and reduce their costs. AICUP serves 88 private colleges and universities representing nearly 291,000 students throughout Pennsylvania.

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