The Power of Independent Colleges
Kentucky’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities are changing the trajectory of individual lives, families, and communities.
AIKCU is proud to support our 18 member institutions in their efforts.
Congratulations to Quentin Young,
11th president of the University of the Cumberlands!
AIKCU looks forward to working with Dr. Young to support
independent higher education in Kentucky
Bellarmine, Spalding, Union, UPike awarded competitive federal grants
Bellarmine University in Louisville has been awarded its first TRIO Student Support Services grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The five-year, $1.36 million grant will fund a new program to help first-generation and low-income students thrive and graduate.
Spalding University in Louisville has received its first TRIO Student Support Services grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The five-year, $1.36 million award will support the academic success of students who are first-generation, low-income, or have disabilities.
​Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville has secured a renewal TRIO grant of nearly $2 million from the U.S. Department of Education. Union's Student Support Services program will use the funds for services to help underserved and underrepresented students overcome barriers to success.
The University of Pikeville in Pikeville has been awarded two grants totaling more than $2.3 million from the U.S. Department of Education The grants will be used to further initiatives that improve student career readiness and strengthen civic education.
Advancing Leaders Class of 2026 to kick off in February
AIKCU is helping its member colleges and universities prepare talented managers to take on even greater leadership roles in higher ed. After a successful inaugural year in 2025, AIKCU looks forward to welcoming the second class to its leadership development program.
The Advancing Leaders Class of 2026 will kick off with a two-day, in-person workshop on Feb. 17-18 in Lexington.
The Class of 2025 completed the program in June 2025.
Chief Academic Officers, Business Officers, Library Directors meet at Berea College
Members of the AIKCU Chief Academic Officers Affinity Group held its fall meeting at Berea College.
AIKCU's Affinity Groups give peers from Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities the opportunity to share experiences and best practices. We appreciate Berea College for hosting fall meetings for three of our Affinity Groups.
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The Chief Academic Officers shared news from their campuses and discussed matters pertinent to academic deans.
The AIKCU Business Officers Affinity Group met Oct. 10 at Berea College.
The Business Officers received an update on federal student funding from Tim Powers, vice president for Government Relations and Policy Development at NAICU. They also got legal guidance on issues facing higher ed from Kacey Coleman, an attorney with Sturgill Turner.
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The Library Directors (not pictured) also held their fall meeting at Berea College.
AIKCU's Bottom Line:
Kentucky's 18 independent colleges and universities contribute $2.06 BILLION to state's economy
What We Do
ADVOCATE
We serve as the voice of Kentucky's independent colleges and universities, advocating for policies that recognize the sector's critical role and help students access and afford a distinctive,
high-quality education.
CONNECT
We provide opportunities for member affiliate groups to meet in person
and online to share experiences and
best practices with colleagues from other institutions.
COLLABORATE
We coordinate cost-saving agreements with businesses and vendors to save our members time and money on a wide range of goods, services, and
insurance products.
News
18 complete first AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program
June 20, 2025
We're proud of the18 inaugural members of the AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program who completed the program June 2. AIKCU launched the program in January to help its member colleges and universities prepare promising mid- to senior-level managers take on even greater leadership roles in independent higher education.
AIKCU announces new board chair, Executive Committee members
June 16, 2025
University of Pikeville President Burton J. Webb will serve as chair of the AIKCU Board of Directors for 2025-27. Webb succeeds Midway University President John P. Marsden, who was chair for 2023-25. Thomas More University President Joseph L. Chillo has assumed the role of vice chair.
Enrollment up for second year in row at Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities
April 2, 2025
For the second year in a row, Kentucky’s 18 independent colleges and universities have seen an increase in enrollment. After a big jump in enrollment for Fall 2023, the sector saw another increase for Fall 2024, according to new data from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
AIKCU announces ‘remarkable’ economic impact of Kentucky’s 18 independent colleges and universities
Jan. 31, 2025
Kentucky’s 18 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities contribute $2.06 billion
to the state and local economies, according to a report released by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities.
Calendar
THURSDAY, DEC. 11
AIKCU Human Resources Officers Meeting
11 a.m.-Noon ET
Virtual
THURSDAY, DEC. 11
AIKCU Executive Committee Meeting
1-2 p.m. ET
Virtual
MONDAY, JAN. 12
AIKCU Board of Directors Meeting
10 a.m.-2 p.m. ET
In Person: Transylvania University
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17-18
2026 Advancing Leaders Program: Session 1
In Person: Location TBA
INSIDE AIKCU Blog
AIKCU President Mason Dyer talks about independent higher ed in Kentucky
