Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

Council for Christian Colleges and Universities is an international association of Christian institutions of higher education, comprising over 180 member institutions in the United States, Canada, and around the world, including Wheaton College (Illinois), Calvin University, and Regent University. The organization was founded in 1976 by a group of Christian college presidents, including Judson College's Harold J. Berry and Westmont College's David Winter, with the goal of promoting Christian higher education and providing a platform for member institutions to collaborate and share best practices, such as those employed by Baylor University and Pepperdine University. The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and its member institutions are accredited by recognized accrediting agencies, such as the Higher Learning Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which also accredit institutions like University of Notre Dame and Duke University.

● History

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities was established in 1976, with the initial meeting taking place at Wheaton College (Illinois), where Billy Graham and Carl F.H. Henry were among the founding speakers, and has since grown to become one of the largest and most influential associations of Christian colleges and universities in the world, with member institutions like Gordon College and Seattle Pacific University. The organization's early years were marked by a focus on promoting Christian higher education and providing a platform for member institutions to collaborate and share best practices, as seen in the partnerships between Asbury University and Eastern University. In the 1980s, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities began to expand its membership to include institutions from outside the United States, such as University of the Fraser Valley in Canada and Daystar University in Kenya, which also has partnerships with Azusa Pacific University and Biola University. Today, the organization has over 180 member institutions in the United States, Canada, and around the world, including Lee University and Lipscomb University.

● Member Institutions

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities has a diverse membership of over 180 institutions, including Liberty University, Grand Canyon University, and Oral Roberts University, which offer a range of academic programs, from liberal arts to professional studies, and are accredited by recognized accrediting agencies, such as the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which also accredit institutions like University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. Member institutions are located in the United States, Canada, and around the world, including Australia, Brazil, and South Africa, and include institutions like Abilene Christian University and Anderson University (Indiana). The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities also has a number of affiliate members, including Christian Colleges and Universities Canada and the Association of Christian Schools International, which also has partnerships with Taylor University and Indiana Wesleyan University.

● Mission and Values

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities is guided by a mission to advance the cause of Christian higher education and to promote the development of Christian colleges and universities around the world, as seen in the work of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities partners like Fresno Pacific University and George Fox University. The organization's values include a commitment to academic excellence, Christian faith, and global engagement, as reflected in the programs of North Park University and Seattle Pacific University. The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities also values diversity and inclusion, and seeks to promote a culture of respect and understanding among its member institutions, such as University of Dallas and Catholic University of America. The organization's mission and values are reflected in its BestSemester programs, which provide students with opportunities to study abroad and engage in cross-cultural experiences, such as those offered by Council for Christian Colleges and Universities partners like Asbury University and Eastern University.

● Accreditation and Affiliations

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and is a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, which also includes institutions like Harvard University and Stanford University. The organization's member institutions are accredited by recognized accrediting agencies, such as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which also accredit institutions like University of California, Berkeley and University of Southern California. The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities also has partnerships with a number of other organizations, including the National Association of Evangelicals and the World Evangelical Alliance, which also has partnerships with Wheaton College (Illinois) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

● Programs and Initiatives

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities offers a range of programs and initiatives to support its member institutions, including the BestSemester programs, which provide students with opportunities to study abroad and engage in cross-cultural experiences, such as those offered by Council for Christian Colleges and Universities partners like Asbury University and Eastern University. The organization also offers a number of professional development programs for faculty and staff, including the Faculty Development Workshop and the Chief Academic Officers Conference, which are attended by representatives from institutions like University of Notre Dame and Duke University. The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities also provides a range of resources and services to support its member institutions, including consulting services and research reports, which are used by institutions like Baylor University and Pepperdine University.

● Governance and Leadership

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities is governed by a Board of Directors, which includes representatives from member institutions, such as Wheaton College (Illinois) and Calvin University. The organization's president, Shirley V. Hoogstra, serves as the chief executive officer and is responsible for implementing the organization's mission and vision, in collaboration with other leaders like Philip Ryken of Wheaton College (Illinois) and Michael Le Roy of Calvin University. The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities also has a number of committees and task forces, which provide guidance and support on issues such as academic programs and global engagement, and include representatives from institutions like University of Dallas and Catholic University of America. The organization's leadership team includes a number of experienced professionals, including the Vice President for Academic Programs and the Vice President for Global Engagement, who work with institutions like Abilene Christian University and Anderson University (Indiana).