Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (WAICU)

Our Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (WAICU) Achievers accomplish great things! This Herzing University student from Milwaukee is slated to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in nursing in December 2025. Her journey has been one of personal growth and academic achievement. Her experience also serves as an example of how the Wisconsin Grant Program can remove barriers and clear a path for anyone to become the person they were destined to be. “The Wisconsin Grant is one of those things that helps to ease stress,” she says. “There’s always going to be obstacles, but something like this makes the work you do a little less daunting — and it helps you see the end goal as something a little more possible.” Visit our website at https://waicu.org to read more inspirational stories from our Wisconsin Achievers! #WAICU

WAICU President and CEO Eric W. Fulcomer recently presented Marian University President Michelle E. Majewski, who is retiring, with honorary recognition for her 37 years of service to Marian University, four years as president. President Majewski was also honored for her service to the State of Wisconsin. Dr. Majewski had retired in 2018, but was recruited to return as acting president in April of 2020 and then named Marian’s 17th president seven months later. Throughout her Marian career, she has been a full-time faculty member, chairperson, dean, and professor emerita. In April, Marian University announced that its 18th president will be Aaron Sadoff, who will begin serving on June 1. Thank you, President Majewski, for your dedication to Wisconsin's Private Colleges!

College Is Worth It!! “In the ever-evolving landscape of education and the workforce, the importance of higher education cannot be overstated,” says Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (WAICU) President Eric W. Fulcomer. “College degrees empower individuals and play a pivotal role in shaping the economic vitality of Wisconsin and the entire nation.” WAICU-member campuses confer 24 percent of bachelor’s degrees and 34 percent of advanced degrees statewide with no direct operating support from taxpayers. Take a minute to learn about how many WAICU alumni are employed by Wisconsin’s top 300-plus companies at https://lnkd.in/dRQp3QVX #WAICU

The Wisconsin Grant Program makes it possible for Wisconsin students to attend Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (WAICU). This Lakeland University student from Monroe is an elementary/middle school education major and soon to be teacher. She is a finalist for Lakeland’s prestigious Clarence H. Koehler Award, and attends Lakeland thanks to a financial aid package that includes the Wisconsin Grant Program. “It’s very important to me because I was able to come to a school with high expectations and not worry a lot about finances so I could focus on all the great opportunities.” She is preparing for her own classroom by student teaching this semester, initially in fifth grade and later in seventh grade math. The student teaching is a capstone to a variety of other experiences which will benefit her as a classroom teacher. #WAICU

We look forward to welcoming registrants to our first annual 2024 Wisconsin Higher Education Compliance Summit, made possible by Platinum Sponsor Husch Blackwell. This event is jointly hosted by the Wisconsin's Private Colleges - WAICU and the Universities of Wisconsin. It will be held May 30-31, 2024, at the Memorial Union in Madison, Wisconsin. The summit brings together university leaders and practitioners from across both public and private institutions to learn about compliance-related topics that are impacting higher education, current trends, challenges, and best practices.

Help Us Spread the Word to High School Seniors and Their Parents/Guardians!! There's free FAFSA help via Text, Zoom, Phone, and Chat! Don't let financial aid stress stop HS seniors from getting excited about going to college this fall. Fair Opportunity Project offers FREE 1-on-1 coaching to help high school seniors complete their FAFSA in just 25 minutes. HS seniors could get $15,000+ for college and focus on what matters—graduation and an exciting future! Visit finishyourfafsa.org for help. #WAICU

College degrees continue to demonstrate their significant return on investment. According to a recent Digest of Education Statistics report by NCES, about seven in ten adults with a bachelor’s or advanced degree make at least $50,000 a year, compared to only 37 percent of high school graduates achieving this income level. Investing in one’s own education will lead to better employment prospects and higher earnings. Check out our website, 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬.𝐨𝐫𝐠 , to explore more than 380 academic programs available at 22 Wisconsin private, nonprofit colleges. Here, you also will discover financial aid opportunities to help make your college dream come true! #WAICU #wiprivatecolleges #GraphoftheMonth #WIGrants

A team from Denmark High School took first place in the 2024 Wisconsin Civics Games, co-sponsored by Wisconsin's Private Colleges - WAICU, held recently at the Capitol in Madison. Eighteen teams from 15 schools participated in the competition, presented by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation. It was Denmark’s first trip to the finals. The winning team, advised by social studies teacher Zack Olson, was comprised of Henry Pahlow (captain), Lydia Flanigan, Ben Lindsley, Aiden Nelsen, Collin Trepanier and Cherry Weis. Each will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship to a Wisconsin college or university of their choice. #WAICU

Interns and mentors participating in the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (WAICU) Nonprofit Internship Program this summer gathered at the Milwaukee County Zoo's Peck Welcome Center recently for a day of learning and celebration to kick off this year’s summer internship season. The Nonprofit Internship Program is open to full-time undergraduate students enrolled at WAICU member colleges and universities. Selected interns receive a $4,000 stipend and a $6,000 scholarship in exchange for 400 hours of work over ten weeks in the summer. Participating internship sites are in Jefferson, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, or Rock counties. https://lnkd.in/eEqtChrK #WAICU

Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (WAICU) President Eric W. Fulcomer, pictured at right, recently presented Dr. Garwood Anderson with an honorary plaque, recognizing his service as dean since 2017 of Nashotah House Theological Seminary. Dr. Anderson announced in the fall of 2023 that he is stepping back from his position as dean at the end of this academic year. Dr. Garwood plans to return to the classroom in the fall of 2024, serving as the Donald J. Parsons Distinguished Professor of Biblical Interpretation. Nashotah House recently announced that Dr. Lauren Whitnah will serve as the next dean of Nashotah House. Dr. Whitnah joins Nashotah House from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she held academic and administrative roles. She assumes her role effective August 1, 2024. We congratulate Dr. Garwood on his successful run as dean, and wish him well in his return to the classroom. And, we look forward welcoming Dr. Whitnah to Wisconsin's Private Colleges - WAICU. #WAICU