ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 19, 2023 – Core Education, a public benefit corporation with a mission to transform the business model for small and mid-sized institutions, announced the signing of a partnership agreement with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). The agreement will allow CIC’s 750+ members to leverage Core’s economies of scale and resources to grow revenues, improve operating effectiveness, and increase technological efficiency.

“Our member institutions value added depth of resources and many are seeking innovative ways to transform their business model,” said CIC President Marjorie Hass. “We greatly appreciate the approach Core has taken as a public benefit corporation to support our members.”

“The operating partnership Core offers is an important initiative,” said CIC Vice President for Networks and Strategic Partnerships Matt Trainum. “CIC’s strategic agreement with Core creates a platform that our members can immediately use for assistance with real operating and strategic issues.” The agreement allows CIC members and their boards to create a transformational business model via a prosperity study and then apply Core’s supporting services through a unique operating partnership for execution.

“Business model transformation requires a fundamental change of organizational assumptions,” said Core Executive Chairman Rick Beyer. “Our fifteen affiliated institutions have a collective budget of $700 million. Our increasing economies of scale allow us to help our institutional partners execute their strategic initiatives with a deep pool of operating resources that would otherwise be inaccessible. CIC members will have a true operating partner who understands what it takes to create a culture success and tactical execution for long-term financial prosperity.”

“While we provide strategic and operational insights for our affiliated partners, the focus of Core as an operating partner is on actively impacting results,” said Core President Kamalika Sandell. “We deploy our people, services, and solutions into the day-to-day operations of our partner institutions.”

CIC’s partnership with Core is one of the networks available to CIC members which help advance an institution’s mission, goals, and priorities. The Business Model Transformation network is an opportunity for interested CIC members to access Core’s expertise to improve their institution’s operations while maintaining their independence and mission.

About Core Education Services, PBC

Core Education is a public benefit corporation with a mission to help nonprofit institutions transform their business model. By creating a culture of prosperity, Core leverages its economies of scale to achieve operational effectiveness, technological efficiency, and market expansion implemented through innovative shared services. For more information, please visit www.core.edu.

About The Council of Independent Colleges

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of more than 700 nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils of independent colleges, and other higher education affiliates, that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society. CIC is the major national organization that focuses on services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. Founded in 1956, CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.cic.edu.