ACI Peer Mentoring Program Building Connection and Belonging
ACI/BravenX Spring Cohort Expands Opportunities
Preparing for What’s Next: Webinars to Support Careers and AI
ACI Hosts Presidents at CIC Conference
Highlights of ACI Campus Life and Leaders
Foundations, Organizations, and Individuals Support ACI Initiatives and Programs
Access to Achievement: Invest in Students' Futures
Upcoming Events
I get it. There are days when our aspirations feel out of reach, when hope seems fleeting, and the avalanche of bad news overwhelms. However, as independent liberal arts schools, you know what to do and how to do it. In a January 29th article from The Atlantic, “The Accidental Winners of the War on Higher Ed,” it outlines the resilience of these institutions in this turbulent landscape of unprecedented political, cultural, and economic pressure.
This resilience is not accidental. It is rooted in what you have long championed as a believer in ACI. It is a deep commitment to undergraduate teaching, close faculty-student engagement, thoughtful governance, and an educational model that prioritizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and civic responsibility over purely transactional outcomes.
In a time of polarization and disruption, these qualities are not liabilities; they are assets. Yet resilience must also be inclusive if it is to be sustainable. By raising funds to support first-generation, low-to-moderate income students, we help ensure that the promise of a liberal arts education is not reserved for those with the fewest barriers but extended to those with the greatest barriers to overcome. Access, belonging, and opportunity are not peripheral to the liberal arts ideal. They are central to it.
As liberal arts colleges are increasingly recognized as stabilizing forces in higher education, the question before us is not simply how to endure, but how to lead with integrity and purpose. Continued partnership between your institutions, industry, and organizations like ACI strengthens that leadership.
This newsletter, social media posts, and our Annual Breakfast Forum in April serve as vital platforms for advancing that mission. While one celebrates student success and institutional impact across our member campuses, the other brings partners together to actively shape solutions that expand opportunity and strengthen student outcomes.
Change takes all of us: people who believe in something bigger and are willing to see it through. Education is grounded in human connection, rigorous inquiry, and social responsibility. Your effort is one of our strongest investments in the future. Together, with your ongoing commitment and support, we will shape what comes next.
From dance studios to pediatric therapy shadowing to leading campus theatre initiatives, Knox College student Madelyn P. is turning her passions into a joyful, purpose-driven path of service and leadership.
Her journey reflects the power of opportunity, creativity, and community, and the incredible impact scholarship support can have on helping students discover who they are meant to become.
Join us in celebrating Madelyn’s inspiring story and the bright future she is building through compassion, movement, and meaningful connection.
Join us on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to explore how higher education and industry can come together to revitalize and sustain full-circle partnerships that unlock growth and drive potential for students, colleges, and employers across Illinois.
Speakers include:
Michael Fassnacht, Chief Growth Officer & President, CLAYCO Chicagoland
Toby Eveland, Chicago Managing Partner, Saul Ewing LLP
Amy Cisneros, Senior Director of Regional Success, Braven
Erin Cohan,Director of Talent Acquisition, Northwestern Medicine
Eva Giglio, Executive Director, CME Group Foundation
Across ACI member institutions, peer mentoring programs continue to create powerful spaces for connection, growth, and student success through hands-on, relationship-centered experiences.
At Illinois College, Peer Mentors wrapped up the semester with four cornerstone events. The Day of Service brought students together with the Yates TRIO program for first-generation students to tour and help care for the African American Museum in Jacksonville. “Ballin’ on a Budget” challenged students to stretch $40 on groceries, reinforcing financial literacy through friendly competition. The annual Springfield Trip offered a deep dive into Illinois history through visits to Lincoln’s home, museum, and tomb, along with a taste of local tradition at Darcy’s Pint. The semester concluded with “Shmooza Palooza”, where current and past ACI mentor cohorts gathered over pizza and wings to network, share stories, and celebrate community.
Similarly, the Men of Confidence Mentoring (MCM) program atRockford Universityengaged mentees through meaningful dialogue and shared experiences. “Chop It Up”sessions with mentors Derrick and Whitney encouraged open conversations about overcoming academic and personal challenges with a growth mindset. Motivational Coach Antwon Harris led a leadership-focused discussion on navigating adversity, paired with a Puerto Rican-style dinner celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Students also explored global learning opportunities during a session on study abroad, and the semester wrapped up with “Bowl & Bond,” an off-campus bowling night focused on strengthening mentor-mentee relationships.
Together, these peer mentoring programs highlight the power of shared experiences, leadership development, and intentional connection, key ingredients in helping students thrive on campus and beyond. To further support this idea, Khali, a junior at Augustana College, shared, “If I had not had a mentor, I honestly do not think I would have been able to survive on my own. The guidance mentors provide to new college students helps them evolve as people.”
Illinois College students (left) participate in Day of Service, volunteering at the Duncan Manor House & Gardens in Towanda, Illinois; Rockford University students (right) meet with Executive Director of Global Affairs, Maria Diemer to discuss studying abroad.
ACI/BravenX Expands Reach
The ACI/BravenX partnership continues to drive meaningful career outcomes for students across Illinois. In Fall 2025, the program supported 64 fellows, with 82% reporting that Braven improved their chances of securing their desired job or graduate school admission after college.
Student feedback underscored the program’s emphasis on confidence-building, skill development, and connection. Fellows cited mock interviews, resume support, and the Capstone Challenge as standout experiences, while many highlighted the value of working in teams, learning from diverse perspectives, and forming new professional relationships. One student shared, “Meeting different people from diverse backgrounds helped me improve my skills and feel more confident applying to opportunities.”
The program’s impact is already translating into real-world success. Following the Fall 2025 Accelerator, Jaiden, a student at Eureka College, reported securing a Microbiology Internship with PMP Fermentation Products, Inc. in Peoria, Illinois.
This Spring, BravenX is expanding its footprint with four new ACI rural partner institutions: Illinois College,Millikin University, Knox College, andQuincy University. This effort was made possible through funding secured by Braven. The total spring cohort now includes 63 students from ACI schools, marking the largest BravenX cohort since ACI launched the partnership in the Fall of 2024.
Together, these results reflect the growing strength of collaboration and its critical role in preparing students to navigate their careers with confidence, clarity, and a sense of community.
CareerSpring Opens Doors for FGLI Students
ACI is excited to partner with CareerSpring to share a powerful, no-cost career resource for first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI) students and graduates.
CareerSpring empowers students and alumni with career information and skills, professional networks, and employment opportunities through its free-to-you Career Platform and a national community of volunteers and allies.
Webinar: Unlock Career Opportunity for Your FGLI Students with CareerSpring When:Tuesday, March 3 | 11:30 AM–12:00 PM (CT)
Join Session Leaders Ruben Barajas, CareerSpring, Regional Program Coordinator, Chicago, and Margaret Falter, CareerSpring, Regional Program Director, to learn about the platform.
In this session, CareerSpring leaders will:
Show how the platform works and how other schools use it
Demo the tool with a guest login
Explain how you can connect students and alumni to career guidance, mentors, and job opportunities
ACI is excited to partner with Element451in a two-part learning series designed to help member institutions explore and prepare for the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in higher education.
The Future of Agentic AI in Higher Ed will take place on February 17, 2026, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. (CT) and features expert insights from Element451 leaders Brendan Henkel, AVP Solutions Engineer, and Christina Hilpipre-Frischman, Account Executive.
As higher education moves beyond basic automation, this timely session will introduce participants to agentic AI, intelligent systems capable of reasoning, planning, and acting autonomously to support institutional goals. Attendees will explore how these technologies are already transforming admissions, student engagement, and student success strategies across campuses.
This exciting opportunity is just the beginning. The February session sets the stage for a follow-up interactive workshop on March 17, 2026,Building the AI-Ready Campus, where participants will move from understanding AI concepts to exploring practical implementation strategies. Together, this series offers ACI members a powerful pathway to lead innovation and strengthen institutional effectiveness in an AI-driven future.
For registration information, contact ACI Program Consultant Leslie Scarpace at lscarpace@acifund.org.
Partner Spotlight: ERA Group Supports Stronger Campus Communities
ACI is proud to collaborate with partners like ERA Group, a global leader in cost management and procurement consulting, whose work helps institutions operate more efficiently and strategically. By identifying savings across more than 40 expense categories—including IT, telecom, food services, logistics, and operations—ERA Group helps colleges and universities uncover resources that can be reinvested into student success and institutional priorities.
For more than 30 years, ERA Group has combined industry expertise, supplier insight, and data-driven benchmarking to deliver sustainable financial improvements through its contingency-based, “no savings, no fee” model. These efficiencies not only strengthen campus operations but also support ACI’s mission to expand access, affordability, and opportunity for students while helping member institutions remain strong, innovative, and community-focused.
For more information on how to optimize costs and create opportunities, contact:
Marty Leiter - mleiter@eragroup.com Paul Zaleski - pzaleski@eragroup.com
(630) 416-7089 (847) 525-0444
Global Learning in Action: Elmhurst Students Bring International Experience Home
Elmhurst University students Avaion Viverette ’27 and Patrycja Goloszewski ’27 recently returned from studying abroad in Australia and New Zealand after earning the highly competitive Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The U.S. Department of State program expands access to global learning opportunities for students with financial need.
While abroad, the students participated in a Global Business course led by Elmhurst faculty, gaining academic, cultural, and professional experiences that strengthened their career goals.
For Viverette, a psychology and sociology major, the experience offered significant personal and professional growth. “My time in Australia and New Zealand allowed me to engage with diverse cultures and perspectives,” he said. “It strengthened my cultural competency, expanded my global connections, and gave me greater confidence navigating both academic and professional environments.”
Goloszewski, a psychology and communication sciences and disorders major, also gained valuable cultural awareness and professional insight that will shape her future work supporting individuals through communication and behavioral services.
ACI proudly celebrates Avaion and Patrycja’s achievements and the global perspectives they bring back to their campus community and experiences that will shape their futures and strengthen the communities they will one day serve.
North Central Launches New Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice Program
North Central Collegewill welcome its first cohort of students into its newMaster’s Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) program in August 2026, following full approval from the Illinois Board of Nursing. The CCNE-accredited, two-year, prelicensure program allows individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Designed to address the growing demand for qualified nurses, the program includes more than 700 hours of clinical and simulation training and emphasizes lifestyle medicine, prevention, and whole-person wellness. Students will benefit from a cohort-based learning model and close faculty mentorship grounded in a human-centered, interprofessional approach.
North Central also offers an Accelerated Dual Degree MENP pathway, allowing qualified undergraduate students to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and an MSN in five years. Eligible students may receive priority or guaranteed admission through selective scholar pathways.
Beginning in fall 2026, nursing students will train in the College’s new state-of-the-art Nursing Skills Lab, featuring high-fidelity patient simulators and advanced clinical training technology.
Schools Celebrate a Century of Legacy, Leadership, and Impact
Across the Associated Colleges of Illinois network, the power of education is measured not only by student success today but by the enduring legacies that shape communities for generations. This year, two extraordinary centennial milestones highlight how ACI institutions and alumni continue to influence lives locally, nationally, and globally.
At Blackburn College,the campus community is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Stoddard Hall, the oldest residence hall on campus and a cornerstone of student life. Constructed in 1924 through Blackburn’s distinctive student Work Program, Stoddard Hall reflects the College’s longstanding commitment to experiential learning. For a century, students have contributed to building, maintaining, and strengthening campus life through hands-on work that helps manage costs while fostering career-ready skills and a strong sense of ownership and community.
Today, that legacy continues through a major renovation supported in part by a multimillion-dollar grant from the Independent Colleges Capital Investment Program. The upgrades will modernize electrical systems, introduce air conditioning, and enhance shared spaces while preserving the hall’s historic character. When Stoddard Hall reopens for students, it will stand as a renewed symbol of Blackburn’s student-centered mission and its commitment to preparing graduates for meaningful futures.
Meanwhile, the global influence of ACI institutions is reflected in the centennial celebration of Toastmasters International, founded 100 years ago by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, a 1903 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University. What began in 1924 as a single club focused on helping individuals gain confidence in public speaking has grown into an international nonprofit organization serving millions of members through thousands of clubs across more than 140 countries.
Dr. Smedley’s philosophy, that leadership and communication skills are best developed through practice, mentorship, and community support, mirrors the values championed by Illinois Wesleyan and ACI member colleges. His vision continues to empower individuals to find their voice, strengthen leadership abilities, and expand professional opportunities worldwide.
Together, these centennial milestones tell a powerful story about the long-term value of independent higher education. Whether through a residence hall built by students or a global leadership movement launched by a single graduate, ACI institutions consistently demonstrate that investing in education creates ripple effects that extend far beyond campus boundaries. These legacies remind us that the support of donors, partners, and advocates plays a vital role in sustaining opportunities for students and strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond.
ACI’s Hosts Breakfast at CIC President's Institute Conference
ACI President April Arnold had the honor of attending the Council of Independent Colleges(CIC) Presidents' Institute Conference. This premier annual gathering brings together presidents from independent colleges and universities for networking, problem-solving, and sharing ideas among colleagues leading similar institutions.
The Presidents Institute is CIC’s flagship event, regularly attracting over 350 higher education leaders and more than 800 participants in total. This year in Orlando, Florida, CIC member presidents explored strategies to empower campuses in fulfilling their missions and strengthening their commitment to serving the common good. Key sessions focused on topics like "The Academic Social Contract" and "Building a Resilient Campus Culture."
Events like these inspire fresh thinking, deepen partnerships, and reaffirm a collective commitment to advancing access, innovation, and student success across independent higher education.
ACI Presidents from left to right: Barbara Farley (Illinois College), Dean Pribbenow and his wife, Dr. Kris Mickelson (Millikin University), April Arnold (ACI), Meggan Madden (Principia College), Patricia Draves (Monmouth College), Jamel Wright (Eureka College), Dave Livingston (Lewis University), and Keith Elder (Saint Xavier University).
Foundations, Organizations, and Individuals Support ACI Initiatives and Programs
Several foundations, organizations, and individuals provide funds to ACI over the course of our fiscal year to help the organization fund its mission to support member colleges and universities "by advancing independent liberal arts and sciences education and helping underserved students succeed in college, career and life."
Since November 1, these generous foundations, companies, and organizations have awarded grants to ACI:
Anonymous
Anonymous
Arch W. Shaw Foundation
Carl R. Hendrickson Family Foundation
GreenState Foundation
PACCAR Inc
The Council of Independent Colleges
WILD Gives Back, NFP
In addition, these individuals and companies took part in ACI's monthly giving program or provided other gifts to ACI since November 1:
Angela T. Allen
Anonymous
April and Richard Arnold
Dave Barnett
Susy Best
William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
Emily P. Bothfeld
Lyn Bulman
Louis Diez
DiMeo Family Charitable Fund
Clifton L. Fenton
Toya Garcia-Bradow
Andre Hebert
Reginald Hubbard
Anthony P. LoBello
Barry C Mastin
Patricia Mota
Leslie Sawyer
Kelly Stepno
Pawel Szeliski
Andrea Talentino
Leah D. Wallace
Mick Weltman
Please consider joining ACI’s monthly giving program to help students in need all year long. For more information, visit https://acifund.org/giving and select "monthly" or call Daisy Gomez at 312-263-2391, ext. 0 for further assistance.
ACI gratefully recognizes the commitment of these foundations, individuals and organizations that contributed to our mission. THANK YOU!
Thank you!
ACI received a generous $10,000 first-time grant from the GreenState Foundation to fund general programming for low-income, first-generation students attending ACI member colleges and universities.
The GreenState Foundation is committed to strengthening communities by advancing financial education, expanding access to affordable housing, and supporting the health of children.
From Access to Achievement: Invest in Students' Future
For many ACI scholars, opportunity can feel just out of reach. With donor support, students are able to stay enrolled, grow in confidence, and build meaningful futures.
Eureka College student Derrick P. has found direction both on and off the field. Football has become his anchor, helping him manage stress, regain confidence, and reconnect with a sense of purpose. His dedication drives him toward a goal of earning All-American recognition in the upcoming season.
Off the field, Derrick is preparing for a career in sports media. He co-hosts a radio show on EC 103.1, gaining valuable broadcasting experience and building his résumé without leaving campus. After graduation, he plans to move to Pittsburgh to pursue opportunities in sports broadcasting or radio.
Thanks to ACI scholarship support, Derrick can register for classes and prepare for the year ahead with far less stress. He and his family are deeply grateful to the donors who make this possible.
Your gift, no matter the size, helps students like Derrick continue pursuing their goals. Visit www.acifund.org/givingto make an impact today.
Webinar - Element451: The Future of Agentic AI in Higher Ed
