Cecily R. Garber

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities that has worked since 1956 to support college and university leadership; advance institutional excellence; and enhance public understanding of private higher education’s contributions to society. CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities as well as conferences, seminars, and other programs that help institutions to improve the quality of education, administrative and financial performance, and institutional visibility. CIC also provides support to state fundraising associations that organize programs and generate contributions for private colleges and universities.

As a Communications Officer for CIC, the ACLS Public Fellow will participate in all aspects of communications and public relations at a nonprofit organization that serves over 700 smaller, private colleges and universities and related supporting organizations. In addition, he or she will take a leading role in two major initiatives for CIC: 1) a College Media Conference, which is an annual meeting of public relations and communications officers in all sectors of higher education, and 2) a wide-reaching public information campaign, Securing America’s Future: The Power of Liberal Arts Education, which is being led by Georgia Nugent, recently retired president of Kenyon College.