Presidents from Kentucky's independent colleges meet with members of Congress during Hill Day in Washington, D.C.
AIKCU News
March 3, 2025
AIKCU members met with U.S. Rep. James Comer of the 1st District.
The independent college contingent also met with U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers of the 5th District.
Presidents from Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities continued an annual tradition Feb. 4 when they met with Kentucky’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.
The Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities coordinates the visits each year as part of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities’ Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day.
“AIKCU had a great turnout for this year’s Hill Day,” said Mason Dyer, AIKCU president. “We met with members of Congress to discuss issues affecting students and independent colleges and universities, like federal student aid funding. We also discussed the vital roles our members play in Kentucky’s economy, with over $2 billion in combined economic impact, and in producing graduates who help meet the state’s workforce needs.”
​
AIKCU members went to Capitol Hill, where they met with U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, U.S. Rep. James Comer of the 1st District, and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers of the 5th District. They also met with legislative staff for U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie of the 2nd District, U.S. Rep Morgan McGarvey of the 3rd District, and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr of the 6th District.
The nine college presidents on hand for the visits were John P. Marsden of Midway University, who is chair of the AIKCU Board of Directors; James O. Stepp of Alice Lloyd College; Susan M. Donovan of Bellarmine University; Cheryl L. Nixon of Berea College; Milton C. Moreland of Centre College; William T. Luckey Jr. of Lindsey Wilson College; Anne Kenworthy of Spalding University; DJ Washington of Union Commonwealth University; and Burton J. Webb of the University of Pikeville.
In addition to Dyer and the presidents, the group also included senior staff from Centre College, Lindsey Wilson College, Midway University, Transylvania University, the University of Pikeville, and the University of the Cumberlands.
NAICU considers its Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day the premier policy and advocacy event for independent, nonprofit higher education leadership.