Coursedog helps colleges modernize academic operations — curriculum, catalog, assessment, and scheduling — on one platform that connects to your SIS. Through our partnership with GICA, every GICA institution can request a free Skills & Workforce Readiness report (powered by Mapademics) showing how your programs align to in-demand jobs and skills — including where the gaps and opportunities are. 

If your campus has not recently explored the partnerships available through the Coalition for College Cost Savings, you may be leaving significant savings — and even new revenue opportunities — on the table. 

Read about the full package here: DCL FY27 State Regulations

GICA’s Compliance Collaborative Program has released its 2026–2027 professional development calendar, featuring more than 40 in-person and virtual training opportunities—including a range of new topics. While a full overview and registration links will be shared in August, early planners can now preview the schedule and begin marking key dates for the year ahead.

Jenna Colvin, GICA President, recently joined a delegation of university presidents at the 2025 International March of the Living in Poland, a global gathering of students, Holocaust survivors, educators, and leaders to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. The experience offered a powerful opportunity to reflect on history, honor those lost, and engage in meaningful dialogue about the ongoing challenges of antisemitism, racism, and intolerance.

• fully funding increases for both HOPE Private and Tuition Equalization Grants to meet projected program growth, helping ensure these programs can continue serving students as enrollment demand rises;
• adding funding for the Behavioral Health Service Cancellable Loan Repayment Program, reinforcing support for a critical workforce need in communities across the state; and
• ending the session without any major new regulatory requirements for private colleges.

Taken together, the 2026 session was a productive one for Georgia’s independent colleges—advancing student opportunity, protecting key priorities, and laying important groundwork for the year ahead. And with the first step on DREAMS now in place, GICA is already focused on the next one: ensuring the program ultimately reaches Georgia students at eligible private nonprofit colleges as well.

The comment period for the RISE proposed rulemaking closed on March 2nd.  Be sure to review formal comments submitted by GICA, NAICU and Senator Warnock.

“The annual Summit is one of the most valuable assets of being a member of GICA, “ said Mercer University president William D. Underwood. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to share intelligence and strategy among colleagues and get in-person, real-time policy updates from government and higher education leaders.”

The Summit opened with a program at Wesleyan College, where attendees heard from campus leadership about the college’s vision and from students who shared insights into their academic experiences and internships. The evening continued with a tour and reception at the historic Mercer Music at Capricorn Studios, followed by a networking dinner at Dovetail—designed to foster connection and conversation among institutional and state leaders.

Day two featured a series of focused sessions and dialogues. GICA welcomed Emma Jones, Executive Vice President of Credo, who briefed invited guests—including legislators and agency representatives—on national trends in college access, student success, and institutional finance.

GICA President Jenna Colvin moderated a legislative panel featuring Rep. Matt Hatchett (Chair, House Appropriations Committee), Sen. Max Burns (Chair, Senate Higher Education Committee), and Rep. Matt Gambill (Governor’s Floor Leader). The panel hit the mark for this audience, bringing together the legislators shaping Georgia’s budget, higher education policy, and workforce development strategy. Their conversation explored the issues likely to dominate the upcoming legislative session, Georgia’s evolving workforce needs, and the critical role of private colleges in preparing students for the state’s economic future. They also shared insights on how college leaders can engage more effectively with policymakers and identify new opportunities for collaboration across public and private higher education.

Participants then broke into small group discussions exploring leadership, accountability, and opportunities for collaboration. These facilitated conversations provided space for candid dialogue on institutional challenges, mission-driven innovation, and strategies to strengthen partnerships with state agencies, community organizations, and peer institutions.

The Summit concluded with a presentation from Mercer University highlighting its leadership in rural healthcare workforce development and its Mercer on a Mission program which integrates academic study with global service and impact.

“GICA’s Fall Summit continues to serve as a cornerstone event for aligning institutional priorities with state policy goals, cultivating relationships among key stakeholders, and advancing the shared mission of Georgia’s independent colleges—to prepare students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership,” said Jenna.

• The Metro Atlanta Chamber, in partnership with the Georgia Student Finance Commission, is launching Navigator—a searchable online tool that allows students and families to explore degrees, diplomas, and certificates offered across Georgia.
• It will be powered by a Credential Registry built on the Credential Engine platform and supported by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

GICA institutions are now invited to participate alongside public partners, ensuring that your programs are visible to students, families, and employers using this statewide tool. Participation is free and simple, requiring only your team’s time to review and submit your data.  

1. Learn about credential transparency (infographic and video).
2. Read How to Get Started (create an account).
3. Have your authorized representative complete the template spreadsheet to provide data to the registry.
4. Upload and approve credential data.

The goal is to complete initial data uploads by November 2025 and establish an update protocol in early 2026, ahead of the grant’s conclusion.

• Financial Aid Directors from GICA schools gathered at the annual GASFAA conference in LaGrange. In addition to the conference schedule, they were able to enjoy camaraderie and discussions over dinner with GICA President Jenna Colvin. (picture below)

• Career Services professionals connected with Jenna at the GACE conference in St. Simon’s Island.

• Chief Student Affairs Officers convened at Agnes Scott College, fostering collaboration and strategy-sharing. Topics addressed included: Encouraging Constructive Dialogue on Campus, State of Students in Georgia, and multiple roundtable discussions.

• Career Services professionals titled "AI and Academic Integrity" drew over 80 attendees, offering insights into the intersection of artificial intelligence and academic standards. To date, over 200 people have accessed the recording of this webinar as well.

We want to thank all our GICA schools for not only participating in these events, but often helping plan and execute them as well. They would not be a success without all of you!

Funded through a combination of an endowment and generous donations from private benefactors, GICA scholarships are exclusively dedicated to students enrolled in GICA colleges and universities. This targeted support reflects GICA's dedication to fostering talent and potential within the Georgia non-profit, private college community. With every dollar donated to the general scholarship fund directly supporting students, donors can be confident that their contributions are making a tangible impact.

GICA offers a range of scholarships tailored to meet diverse student needs. These scholarships typically require students to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate financial need, and meet specific criteria related to their academic standing and career aspirations. For example, some scholarships are designated for rising juniors or seniors who are Georgia residents, while others prioritize students with leadership experience or a commitment to community service. Additionally, certain scholarships may focus on particular fields of study, such as business or education. The selection process for these scholarships is overseen by the GICA Scholarship Committee, ensuring fairness and transparency. 

Looking ahead, GICA has already initiated the scholarship application and selection process for the upcoming academic year. Due to FAFSA delays causing uncertainty around student aid, GICA is being flexible with schools to allow more time for submissions this year. We look forward to awarding another impressive amount of scholarship money to GICA students across the state.

The session focused on developing informed academic policies to address the unique challenges posed by AI in higher education.  The webinar highlighted the need to balance the integration of emerging technologies like AI with ensuring that students are not only learning effectively but also acquiring the essential skills needed for their future professions.

GICA plays an important role in facilitating discussions among campus leaders to share experiences and best practices. This collaborative approach helps member institutions stay at the forefront of technological advancements in education, enabling them to navigate and adapt to the evolving digital landscape effectively.

The agenda for the affinity group meeting was packed with  sessions aimed at addressing key challenges and fostering collaboration among attendees. Highlights included:

• Doing More with Less: An exploration of strategies for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness in the face of resource constraints.
• SACSCOC Standard 8.1 Student Achievement: Delving into the nuances of this critical accreditation standard and its implications for institutional assessment.
• The Institutional Research/Institutional Effectiveness Partnership: Highlighting the importance of collaboration between IR and IE offices in driving institutional improvement.
• Roundtable Discussions: IR and IE professionals participated in roundtable discussions focusing on specific challenges seen in their field and sharing practical solutions. This portion of a GICA meeting is a favorite for all the groups we gather throughout the year. 

The collaborative spirit and engagement demonstrated throughout the event underscored the importance of such gatherings in fostering a community of practice among GICA member institutions.

"This was my first GICA IR/IE meeting, and it could not have been a better use of my time. Being new to the IR/IE arena, there is so much information that you must absorb to even feel like you understand your duties and responsibilities, let alone best practices. This meeting provided invaluable information about things I would need to expect in my role, going from basics to anomalies, and giving wonderful examples. The mix of presentation and lecture with open discussion was perfect. The best part was meeting everyone. In just a few hours I gained contacts who I feel confident reaching out to with questions or for advice. I found it to be a very supportive community. I would highly recommend this meeting to anyone working in IR/IE and I honestly can’t wait for the next one. Until then, I’ll just do a deep dive into the new community feature!" -  Caitlin Douglas - Senior Director of Institutional Effectiveness -  Oglethorpe University

As institutions continue to navigate an ever-changing higher education landscape, affinity group meetings like this one serve as crucial forums for professionals to stay informed, connected, and empowered to drive positive change within their institutions. The attendees demonstrated such a collaborative spirit throughout the event, which underscores the importance of future GICA gatherings. We plan to build on this collaboration with a virtual meeting in the coming weeks to discuss FVT regulations in more detail. Please look for communications about this opportunity soon. 

GICA hosts affinity group meetings throughout the year for a variety of campus professionals. Next month we will be convening Chief Student Affairs Officer & Chief Enrollment Officer Meeting.  Follow our newsletter for more affinity group meeting announcements. 

Special thanks to Agnes Scott College for being such a great host for several of our meetings this year. Their beautiful campus has been incredibly welcoming!

The webinars attracted over 5000 professionals from across the country, including over 70 participants from GICA schools.  Attendees gained an understanding of the new regulatory requirements, their implications for institutional practices, and strategies for compliance. The webinars fostered a collaborative environment where participants exchanged ideas, shared best practices, and sought clarity on complex issues.

"More and more often campuses are being asked to do more with less resources. The Financial Value Transparency/Gainful Employment Rule will necessitate that institutions form response teams including institutional researchers, registrars, student financial aid officers and more to tackle this new federal requirement.

Institutions will need to report student level data on all enrolled students with an expanded data requirement for students who completed or withdrew. The data range from student identifying information, program enrollment, cost of attendance and financial aid awarded among other elements. I was glad to be able to share how I operationalized the data elements listed in the Final Rule to help institutions figure out where to start and what data to gather. I hope the excel workbook is useful to intuitions who are beginning this work." - Carolyn Sloane Mata.

The FVT/GE reporting deadline has been extended from July 31, 2024 to October 1, 2024.

 To access the webinar recordings and review other resources, click here.

The Clery Act is a consumer protection law that aims to provide transparency around campus crime policy and statistics. The Act requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to release a public annual security report (an “ASR”) to employees and students that includes statistics of campus crime for the preceding three calendar years. The ASR must also contain policy statements regarding crime reporting, campus facility security and access, law enforcement authority, incidence of alcohol and drug use, and the prevention of/response to sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, and stalking.

In Liberty’s case, the Department found numerous incidents of misclassification or underreporting of campus crimes, particularly in connection with sexually based offenses. Federal investigators uncovered cases in which the university’s investigators either mishandled or failed to properly investigate claims.  These findings included lack of administrative capability, inaccurate and incomplete information disclosures, failure to comply with the Violence Against Women Act Requirements, and failure to issue emergency notifications and timely warnings in accordance with federal regulations.

Liberty’s case is a cautionary tale to all colleges and universities receiving federal funding from the FSA. These entities should closely monitor their compliance with the Clery Act requirements and ensure that their campus crime reporting systems are timely and accurate.  The Clery Act outlines five core requirements for compliance. At minimum, colleges and universities must ensure that they i) report annual crime statistics to the Department; ii) maintain emergency response programs to notify the community of emergencies and issue warnings of threats; iii) maintain a daily crime log and fire log; iv) implement and disclose policies and procedures relating to sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking; and v) provide training to all campus security authorities.

GICA colleges with questions about Clery Act compliance should reach out to our compliance consultant, Judy Spain. 

The department also published a “Dear Colleague Letter” that outlines the provisions of the GE/FVT rule, including a list of the necessary program-specific and student-specific reporting requirements.

Referring to the delay as a “flexibility,” institutions now have until Oct. 1, 2024, to provide the required reporting under the new GE/FVT rule. The department added that the adjusted timeline allows institutions to focus their efforts on issues related to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data delays and provides additional time to compile the required information. The department still intends to publish the first official round of GE/FVT metrics by early 2025.

In addition, the department published a revised timeline for guidance and implementation of the GE/FVT rule, as follows:

Policy Guidance

• Week of April 1, 2024: Publication of a GE/FVT “Frequently Asked Questions” document as well as a “GE/FVT Topics” webpage on the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) website.

Student Cohort Reports

• Early April 2024: FSA publishes an electronic announcement describing a series of new National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) reports intended to assist schools with identifying completer cohorts and those students for whom schools will report data.
• Mid-April 2024: FSA provides information regarding a live webinar about the new NSLDS reports. The webinar is scheduled for early May 2024.
• Late April 2024: GE/FVT NSLDS reports become available for schools to access.

GE/FVT Data Reporting Capabilities

• April 2024: FSA publishes a reporting guide that provides technical and operational details schools will need to begin the GE/FVT reporting process.
• June 2024: FSA provides information about a live webinar that will describe the content contained in the reporting guide. The webinar will occur in July.
• July 1, 2024: FSA makes the reporting system available for schools to use.
• July 2024: FSA provides schools with a draft “completers list” that identifies the cohorts of students whose earnings will be included in the GE/FVT metrics. Schools will be provided 60 days to make corrections to that list.
• October 1, 2024: All required data must be reported to NSLDS.

In early 2025, the department plans to publish the first GE/FVT metrics and notify schools of failing GE programs. Notifications to schools that voluntarily discontinued failing GE programs or withdrew failing programs from eligibility will follow. The department plans to provide additional information on the program eligibility impact of the metrics on failing GE programs.

The department will make the GE/FVT program information system available in July 2026.

Institutions subject to the reporting requirements will see this revised timeline as relief from the twin-challenges of processing student aid amongst FAFSA delays and complying with brand-new reporting requirements without prior experience and, for many schools, without sufficient capacity. The department listened to industry concerns and reduced some of the burden, even temporarily, on heavily taxed institutional financial aid staff. However, without a resolution to the ongoing FAFSA issues, kicking the can down the road on reporting requirements could create future implementation headaches for the department and institutions of higher education. As recent history suggests, if the administration changes hands in the fall, the GE/FVT rule could be in jeopardy.

It is important to note that there are two lawsuits challenging the GE/FVT rule. If they succeed, they could delay or halt implementation of the department’s plans indefinitely.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the 403b Retirement Plan Education Session, featuring a distinguished panel of experts who have all had a hand in developing the GICA MEP. They included Bo White, Wade Conner, Jason Kuzia, Antonio Kitt, and Jonathan St. Clair. This session delved into the successes and lessons learned from the GICA MEP, celebrating its first birthday, and reflecting on its value. “From both a cost savings and efficiency improvement perspective, the MEP is one of the most valuable collaborative programs GICA developed during my years as the CFO at Young Harris College,” said Bo Wright.

This meeting also featured multiple round table discussions which facilitated brainstorming on topics of mutual interest, fostering collaboration between finance and human resources professionals. FORVIS’s Rachel Pauletti led a sessionon "Is Your Institution Ready for Change?" addressed pressing challenges facing the higher education industry and provided strategic insights on navigating paradigm shifts effectively. CapinCrouse’s Rachel McMichael led a session on "Clearing the Path for Women in Leadership" sparked meaningful discussions on advancing gender diversity and inclusion in higher education leadership roles, shedding light on critical issues and actionable strategies. The meeting concluded with insightful sessions on emerging trends in higher education, as well as property and cyber insurance updates.

Overall, GICA's 2024 CFO/HR Meeting promoted knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and strategic planning, reinforcing its role as a vital platform for higher education professionals to navigate challenges and drive success in an ever-evolving landscape.

The NCAN report emphasizes the importance of completing the FAFSA as a crucial step in accessing financial assistance for college. However, many students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, are not completing the FAFSA, thereby missing out on available resources.

Experts attribute the low FAFSA completion rates to various factors, including lack of awareness about available financial aid programs, complexity of the application process, and misconceptions about eligibility criteria.

As students grapple with the challenges of college affordability and access, increasing FAFSA completion rates emerges as a critical strategy in unlocking the full potential of financial aid resources and expanding opportunities for students across Georgia.

Read the full article here: https://www.ncan.org/news/629039/NCAN-Report-In-2022-High-School-Seniors-Left-3.58-Billion-on-the-Table-in-Pell-Grants.htm

From Inside Higher Ed:  A regional office of the National Labor Relations Board ruled Monday that Dartmouth College’s men’s basketball players are employees and have the right to unionize.

In a 26-page decision, Laura A. Sacks, regional director for the NLRB’s Northeast region, said she reached that conclusion because “Dartmouth has the right to control the work performed by the men’s varsity basketball team, and because the players perform that work in exchange for compensation.” Importantly, Sacks said, the conclusion that college players are employees “would not create instability in labor relations.”

The ruling directed the NLRB to hold a secret ballot election in the coming weeks in which the current members of Dartmouth’s basketball team will decide whether to join the Service Employees International Union, Local 560, which represents some other workers at Dartmouth. The ruling by the regional office will be reviewed by the agency's national office and by the full labor relations board.

The NLRB office’s ruling comes almost 10 years after another regional office of the labor board declared football players at Northwestern University to be employees. In 2015, the full labor relations board declined to rule on the matter, citing largely procedural issues and leaving questions about whether college athletes are employees for another day.

Much has changed during the last decade, though, with the National Collegiate Athletic Association losing several court decisions that have resulted, among other things, in athletes now being only compensated for use of their names, images and likenesses. Evidence of the changing perspective of amateurism in college athletics was also found in Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh's concurring opinion in a 2021 Supreme Court decision about payments to athletes.

Nearly all the big law firms are putting out advisory’s explaining the impact of the decision.  Here are a few: 

Miller Canfield:  https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/college-basketball-players-entitled-to-5535214/?origin=CEG&utm_source=CEG&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CustomEmailDigest&utm_term=jds-article&utm_content=article-link

Ogletree Deakins:  https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/nlrb-regional-director-rules-dartmouth-8966918/?origin=CEG&utm_source=CEG&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CustomEmailDigest&utm_term=jds-article&utm_content=article-link

Fox Rothschild:  https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/nlrb-official-finds-dartmouth-2864985/?origin=CEG&utm_source=CEG&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CustomEmailDigest&utm_term=jds-article&utm_content=article-link

BCLP:  https://www.bclplaw.com/en-US/events-insights-news/nlrb-regional-director-determines-dartmouth-basketball-players-are-employees.html

To read more:

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/nlrb-official-finds-dartmouth-2864985/?origin=CEG

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/nlrb-regional-director-determines-8340178/?origin=CEG&utm_source=CEG&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CustomEmailDigest&utm_term=jds-article&utm_content=article-link

Since its launch in 2016 with 13 pioneering schools, the CCP has grown steadily, recently welcoming its 17th college in 2023. What sets the GICA Compliance Collaborative Program apart is its dedication to tailoring compliance solutions to the unique culture of each participating college. From 2018, the CCP has hosted 113 webinars and 92 in-person professional development opportunities with a total of 6,495 attendees.

Here are some key highlights that make the CCP a game-changer for colleges:

Diverse Focus Areas:Initially concentrating on ADA, Clery, Title IX, and VAWA, the program has expanded its scope to cover all areas of higher education compliance.

Tailored Compliance Solutions:CCP provides personalized compliance suggestions, recognizing and respecting the distinct culture of each college. It's a one-size-does-not-fit-all approach to compliance.

Expert Compliance Guidance:While CCP does not provide legal advice, it is committed to offering expert guidance to colleges, ensuring they stay on top of compliance matters without crossing legal boundaries.

Comprehensive Support Services:From policy guidance and review to professional development and training sessions (offered both in person and via webinar), CCP offers a suite of services to enhance your campus's compliance efforts.

Monthly Compliance Corner Newsletter:Stay informed and engaged with the latest updates, best practices, and compliance trends through our monthly newsletter.

Kenneth Whitlow from Shorter University has had a positive experience with CCP and says, “Working with Judy Spain and the GICA Compliance Collaborative has been like having tech support for compliance. It has been a relief to have one place to look to for training, guidance, counsel, and encouragement. Judy is always responsive and is a great sounding board when dealing with compliance issues.” 

In addition, Laura Whitaker-Lea from Young Harris says, “Participating in the GICA Compliance Collaborative Program (CCP) has provided a huge return on investment for our campus.  Through membership in the CCP we have had access to excellent training for Title IX personnel, one-on-one assistance with policy review and development, and a roadmap to begin a compliance initiative, to name just a few of the benefits. Judy Spain, the Coordinator of the CCP, is available to provide her wealth of knowledge as well as her sage and pragmatic perspectives on the myriad of challenges for institutions of higher education.” 

Participating in the GICA Compliance Collaborative Program means joining a community dedicated to advancing compliance excellence in higher education. Elevate your college's compliance strategy and ensure a secure and inclusive environment for all.

To learn more about the program or to have your college participate, please contact Lisa Macke directly at lmacke@georgiacolleges.org.

GICA's commitment to fostering academic excellence and student success is evident in the impressive results achieved by GCCG recipients at its member colleges. A total of 435 students received the GCCG award from GICA colleges.  Key highlights from the data collected by GICA reveals the remarkable impact of the program:

• 82.3% of students receiving the GCCG award at a GICA college earned a credential, surpassing the collective total of 58% for all GCCG recipients in the state. This remarkable achievement showcases the dedication and determination of students attending GICA institutions.
• The top three majors for GCCG recipients at GICA colleges were Registered Nursing, Biology, and Business Administration and Management, all critical workforce needs.
• 62.2% of private college GCCG recipients were also Pell-eligible, emphasizing the program's success in supporting students with financial need.
• 30% of private college GCCG recipients were part-time students, underscoring the program's accessibility and flexibility in aiding learners of various academic backgrounds.

Learn more about the program from the GSFC report titled: Year 1 Georgia College Completion Grant Program - Patterns and Trends - FY23

Jenna Colvin, President of GICA, underscores the significance of these achievements, stating: "On behalf of the GICA colleges, I'd like to express my appreciation to the Georgia legislature for their inclusion of private colleges in the GCCG program. These results clearly demonstrate that GICA colleges represent an exceptional investment of public funds, playing a pivotal role in strengthening our workforce."

These exceptional outcomes are a testament to GICA colleges' unwavering dedication to providing quality education and ensuring that students achieve their academic and career goals. They underscore the significance of the GCCG program in enhancing educational attainment and preparing a skilled workforce in Georgia, highlighting the ongoing commitment of GICA and its member colleges to the state's educational and economic future.