Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU)

05/01/2026

As commencement season kicks off in May, AIKCU celebrates an exciting milestone with the students graduating from independent colleges and universities across Kentucky. Here's to recognizing the hard work that brought you to this moment and wishing you all the best on a bright future!

03/24/2026

Everyone’s talking about AI, including us! When AIKCU’s Advancement Officers and Information Technology Officers met jointly for their spring meeting, they discussed the best AI tools to use to boost efficiency in advancement while ensuring ethical best practices. The Advancement Officers (top) also talked about how to build relationships with state and federal legislators, and the IT Officers (bottom) looked at cybersecurity issues related to financial aid fraud. Thanks to Transylvania University for hosting these two peer groups from Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities.

03/19/2026

Great news for AIKCU member campuses! Enrollment is up for the third year in a row at Kentucky’s 18 independent colleges and universities. Thanks to for providing important annual enrollment data. See link in comments for more details.

03/17/2026

Top of the mornin' to you on this snowy St. Patrick's Day!

02/24/2026

Welcome to the 21 members of the AIKCU Advancing Leaders Class of 2026! AIKCU is offering this leadership development program to promising managers at Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities. We’re helping our member schools prepare rising leaders to take on even greater leadership roles in independent higher ed. Thanks to Credo for being our program partner. See who's in the Class of 2026: https://www.aikcu.org/advancing-leaders-class-of-2026

02/13/2026

01/13/2026

Presidents of Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities hosted Kentucky Community & Technical College System President Ryan Quarles at the AIKCU Board of Directors’ winter meeting. The commonwealth’s 18 independent four-year institutions and its 16 public community and technical colleges share similar goals — to ensure postsecondary education and workforce education is relevant, accessible, and affordable while preparing graduates for meaningful careers.

AIKCU presidents and Dr. Quarles discussed strengthening transfer pathways and other areas of mutual interest, including the legislature’s continued strong support for Kentucky Lottery-funded student financial aid programs.

12/22/2025

12/19/2025

We’re excited about the success of Sydney Newton, who graduated from not one, but two, of our member universities! Lindsey Wilson University Campbellsville University

Check out Sydney's news: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/sydney-newton

12/18/2025

Proud of our chair Burton Webb, President of University of Pikeville for sharing the message about the importance of rural independent colleges on the Hill.