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Greetings,
As we transition into a new academic year, I hope the summer months have provided you with a chance to rest, reflect, and prepare for the work ahead, especially as we confront sweeping changes in federal higher education policy. From eliminating Grad PLUS loans and capping other graduate loan programs, to expanding federal accountability measures across all institutions and programs, these shifts will have a disproportionate impact on low-income and first-generation students—many of whom attend our institutions.
These policy changes are further compounded by the president’s proposed FY 2026 budget, which includes deep and damaging cuts to federal financial aid. The proposal would slash the maximum Pell Grant to levels not seen in over a decade, eliminate Federal Work-Study and SEOG, and completely defund TRIO and GEAR UP—programs that have lifted generations of students into higher education. These cuts would not only harm the students we serve, but also weaken the nation’s ability to meet pressing workforce needs in health care, education, mental health, and STEM.
Fortunately, California continues to affirm the value of higher education through policies that advance equity and opportunity. The recently enacted state budget includes another year of funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant—an investment in growing the teacher pipeline—and sustained support for California Indian Nations College, which supports college access for Native American students. These are important steps toward a more inclusive and representative workforce.
We’re also seeing encouraging momentum on key legislative priorities. AB 402 (Patel), AICCU’s sponsored bill, would restore the maximum Cal Grant award for students at independent, nonprofit colleges and expand access for transfer students. The bill has received broad bipartisan support, and we are working closely with stakeholders to secure the funding needed to implement it. Similarly, SB 790 (Cabaldon) would enable California to join the national reciprocity framework for online distance education, helping more students access accredited online programs across state lines and lowering barriers to enrollment.
As federal decisions threaten to limit access, our work has never been more urgent. Together, we must reaffirm our commitment to expanding college opportunity and ensuring all students, regardless of background, have the chance to succeed. I look forward to continuing this important work alongside you in the year ahead.
Sincerely,
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Kristen Soares
President
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
| | Welcome New AICCU Member Institution Presidents | | Several member institutions welcomed new presidents this year. AICCU looks forward to partnering with them to advance our shared commitment to students and communities. We encourage legislative offices to visit these new presidents on their campuses to learn more about the important work taking place in your districts. If you are interested in scheduling a campus visit, please contact AICCU to coordinate. | | Driving Innovation in Accreditation: A Conversation with WASC President Maria Toyoda | | |
The latest episode of Insights with AICCU features Maria Toyoda, the president of the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Tom Vu, AICCU’s Vice President for Policy, was the host. This episode was sponsored by First American Education Finance.
Maria stepped into this role in March, bringing with her nearly three decades of experience as a higher education scholar, professor, and administrator. This episode opens the “black box” of accreditation and discusses how WASC balances rigorous standards with institutional innovation to improve student outcomes, reduce costs, and adapt to a changing higher education student population. Maria also offers insight on how accreditors are responding to new federal policies.
Insights with AICCU is a quarterly podcast featuring insightful conversations surrounding issues impacting the higher education space. Guests include prominent figures in higher education such as policymakers, campus leaders, students, advocates, and more. The podcast is available for listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music. Episode transcripts are also available.
| | National University Opens New Student Support Hub Inspired by Co-Working Spaces | | |
National University (NU) has launched a new “co-learning center” designed to support working students who are balancing their education with career, family, and other responsibilities. Known as The Nest, the first location is now open at NU’s main campus in San Diego, with a second site planned for Escondido later this year.
Modeled after co-working spaces for remote professionals, The Nest addresses the unique needs of adult learners by offering services that remove barriers to success. In partnership with the local YMCA, the center provides free or low-cost childcare—helping student parents stay on track with their degrees. Other services include access to writing coaches, a newly expanded Veteran and Military Community Center, collaborative study spaces, career development workshops, and mentorship programs. Students also have access to high-speed Wi-Fi, loaner laptops, printing services, and shared workspaces.
With an average student age of 37, NU serves a growing population of adult learners across its undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. Approximately 80% of students take all their classes online, while 93% of students take at least some classes online complemented with on-site clinical training.
“The typical student today is an ‘AND-er:’ a learner that is balancing education and work, education and parenting, education and deployment, education and caring for aging parents,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University. “This is about flipping the script for the hardworking students that we serve—giving online and hybrid students the resources they need to not just persist but thrive—and providing ongoing support as they chart pathways to career and economic mobility.”
Read the full article from National University here.
| | University of the Pacific to Expand Oral Health Care with New Multidisciplinary Care Clinic and Ambulatory Surgery Center | | |
University of the Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry will open a Multidisciplinary Care Clinic and Ambulatory Surgery Center on the San Francisco Campus designed specifically to serve individuals of all ages with special needs.
The center, slated to open in 2026, is expected to triple patient visits in the Special Care and Hospital Dentistry programs to more than 8,000 when fully operational. The first floor of the school will span 13,000 square feet, with four operating rooms, eight operatories, five mixed medical/dental treatment rooms and a sensory waiting room specifically designed to make dental appointments easier for patients with sensory processing disorders and other conditions. The new clinics aim to improve underserved populations’ access to oral health care while preparing Pacific students to care for communities with complex health care needs in their own practices.
“Having access to ambulatory surgical services on site and additional operatories designed and staffed to care for individuals young and old with special health care needs will allow us to provide a full spectrum of care to patients with diverse needs,” said Elisa Chávez, professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences and principal investigator for the grant.
Read the full article from University of the Pacific here.
| | Educator Programs Fact Sheet | | | | AICCU has released the 2025 Educator Programs Fact Sheet, highlighting the vital role of independent nonprofit colleges and universities play in preparing California’s future educators. In the most recent year, our sector awarded 40% of new teacher credentials and issued 609 administrative service credentials. View the full report here. | | | |
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