Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey

Mission Focused – Student Driven The mission of the Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey, a New Jersey Non-Profit Corporation, is to advance the interests of New Jersey’s independent, non-profit, public mission institutions of higher education by promoting access, affordability and student success through public policy advocacy, corporate and individual philanthropy, and empowering the choice of the best fit for each student’s academic journey, cultural engagement, and environmental surroundings. Our 13 member institutions perform a vital service for the state by giving more than 61,000 students access to diverse educational opportunities while maintaining class sizes that promote better student access to faculty. The independent colleges also make a significant economic impact through research, community development and relevant degrees programs that meet New Jersey’s workforce needs. Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey (ICUNJ) became a merged organization in summer 2021 bringing together the resources of the Association of Colleges and Universities of New Jersey (AICUNJ) and the Independent College Fund of New Jersey (ICFNJ) to build new synergies and to more effectively advocate on behalf of the students who are served by independent colleges and universities in New Jersey. The ICUNJ Board is comprised of the 13 independent university presidents plus four executives from the New Jersey corporate community. The organization is also supported by 28 corporate leaders from across the state of New Jersey who serve as a Board of Advisors. ICFNJ was founded in 1953 as a cooperative effort involving business and academic leaders of New Jersey to broaden financial support for and awareness of independent higher education. AICUNJ was founded in 1966 to collectively represent the individual colleges and universities of New Jersey at the state legislature. Our mission remains: to build support and awareness of independent higher education.