University of Lynchburg President Dr. Kenneth R. Garren is now the chair of a national committee that impacts higher education policy.
Last week, Dr. Garren accepted an invitation to chair the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Committee on Policy Research and Public Affairs. This committee guides NAICU’s priorities for researching issues related to higher education as well as activities to enhance public understanding and support for private, nonprofit colleges and universities.
Dr. Garren’s leadership has impacted higher education policy at the state and national levels. Through strategic discussions with legislators and federal policymakers, he played a key role in reversing the federal government’s plans to rank colleges and universities in a way that would harm some students’ access to financial aid, as the Wall Street Journal pointed out in 2015. In 2016, he was elected to the NAICU Board of Directors, and he joined NAICU’s Executive Committee in January 2019.
“I became involved in national higher education policy because my love for the University of Lynchburg will not allow me to be silent while politicians make decisions that affect our students and their ability to get a quality education,” Dr. Garren said. “There has never been a more important time to champion the work that we do for students. I am honored to continue my service with NAICU to ensure that our elected officials and the general public understand the value we provide to our students and our country.”
