Skidmore president named CICU trustee
Skidmore College President Marc C. Conner has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the (CICU), joining a distinguished group of higher education leaders from across New York state.
Founded in 1956, CICU represents the public policy interests of the state’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities. Its mission — to provide opportunity and access to higher education through fairness, equity, and humanity — closely aligns with Skidmore’s own values and mission.
The commission plays a vital role in advocating for student success, particularly through its work to strengthen student aid and increase access to higher education. CICU supports key initiatives such as the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), from which Skidmore students have long benefited. In 2024, Skidmore's Opportunity Program received a more than $5 million grant from New York state to continue its efforts to provide a high-quality liberal arts education to talented and motivated students who otherwise would be unable to attend the College.
Among CICU’s other core activities are research and data analysis, developing partnerships with the private sector, and providing resources to prospective students and families.
President Marc C. Conner
“We are proud to have such a strong incoming class of trustees to lend their expertise, talent, and vision for ensuring higher education in New York State remains strong,” said CICU President Lola Brabham in . “Each president on CICU’s Board of Trustees is an invaluable voice that will help elevate and amplify CICU’s advocacy for the independent sector.”
Emphasizing the economic and cultural impact of private colleges and universities in their communities is also central to CICU’s work. A 2022–23 CICU study calculated Skidmore’s total economic impact at over $383 million — including spending on research, construction, salaries, operations, and more than $26 million in student and visitor spending in the Saratoga Springs region.
Conner’s appointment to CICU’s board is one of several national leadership roles he currently holds and underscores Skidmore’s expanding presence in shaping higher education policy and civic engagement. He is a founding member of the (CP2), a national initiative of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars focused on preparing students for democratic engagement. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of , a consortium dedicated to promoting civic participation and social responsibility. Skidmore has been a member of CP2 since 2024 and Project Pericles since 2015.
"Project Pericles has had a profound and lasting impact on Skidmore and our mission,” said Eric Morser, professor of history and faculty director of civic engagement. “It has provided faculty with both generous funding and encouragement to teach cutting-edge civic engagement classes that provide our students with meaningful opportunities to reach beyond campus and think about how to make a difference in the world.”
"President Conner has been an exceptional advocate for this kind of learning and teaching at Skidmore, and his service with Project Pericles continues to inspire faculty, staff, and students here and across the nation."
The College will host Project Pericles’ national faculty directors conference on campus Oct. 27–29.
Throughout his tenure, Conner has emphasized the importance of academic freedom, free expression, and civic responsibility. In spring 2023, he convened the Speech and Expression on College Campuses Symposium, drawing national thought leaders to Skidmore to address pressing challenges surrounding speech, discourse, and democracy in higher education.
“It gives me great pride to represent Skidmore College through my service to organizations like CICU, CP2, and Project Pericles,” said Conner. "I am eager to advocate for and defend Skidmore’s mission — and that of higher education more broadly. Working with others who share Skidmore’s commitment to actively promoting democratic and civic engagement, particularly among our next generation of leaders — I can think of no higher calling at this moment."
