On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) Spring Trustee Meeting brought together trustees, campus leaders, and partners for a day that combined a forward-looking conversation with meaningful recognition.

Morning Panel: AI & The Human in the Room

The day began with an engaging panel discussion exploring the evolving role of artificial intelligence in higher education. Titled AI & The Human in the Room, the conversation focused on how independent colleges prepare graduates not only to use AI, but to interpret, shape, and respond to its broader impact.

Panelists included Kelly Sinacola of Element451; Mark Kasinec of Meaden & Moore; and Sue Hasseler, President of Muskingum University and OFIC Vice-Chair (Collegiate).

The discussion emphasized real-world application over technical detail, underscoring the importance of critical thinking, ethical awareness, and adaptability as defining skills for graduates entering an AI-influenced world.

Awards Luncheon Highlights

The Awards Luncheon served as the centerpiece of the day, honoring individuals whose leadership and service reflect the strength of Ohio’s independent colleges. This year we were thrilled to welcome a special group of Nationwide Foundation scholars from Capital University.

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Hall of Excellence Induction

A highlight of the luncheon was the induction of Pamela S. Hershberger into the OFIC Hall of Excellence. A distinguished alumna of Ohio Northern University, Hershberger was recognized for a lifetime of leadership that has strengthened institutions and expanded opportunity for students across Ohio.

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Inspiration Award

The luncheon also honored Sigrid Solomon of Wilmington College with the OFIC Inspiration Award. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to service, integrity, and the way she uplifts those around her.

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Student Recognition

Julie McClure, a senior at Ohio Northern University, was recognized as this year’s OFIC Staff Scholarship recipient. Her heartfelt words on empowerment and perseverance left a lasting impression on those in attendance, serving as a powerful reminder of the personal impact behind OFIC’s mission to support students’ balancing work, academics, and leadership.

The Independent Advantage

The Awards Luncheon concluded with remarks from Jim Carulas, OFIC Board Chair, who reflected on the significance of the day’s honorees and the broader mission of OFIC.

Together, these honorees reflect something larger, what OFIC defines as The Independent Advantage.

Independent colleges across Ohio share strong academics, deep traditions, and vibrant campus communities. But what truly distinguishes them is access, access to faculty who know students personally, access to mentors who guide them intentionally, and access to opportunities that help students discover confidence, direction, and purpose.

The Independent Advantage is rooted in personalized education, intentional support, and opportunity made possible, often through scholarships, mentoring, and strong community connections. It is how independent colleges meet students where they are and help them become who they are meant to be.

OFIC’s role is to make that advantage visible, to take the excellent work happening every day on our member campuses and lift it up, connect it, and share it more broadly. It helps translate outcomes into evidence, and individual stories into shared understanding across the state.

As Board Chair, I’m especially proud of the leadership behind this work. The OFIC Board of Trustees brings together campus presidents and corporate leaders who share a common purpose: ensuring that independent higher education in Ohio remains strong, accessible, and relevant for the future. This partnership across institutions and sectors is itself a reflection of the Independent Advantage.

At a time when higher education faces real challenges, this gathering is a reminder of why this work matters. Independent colleges matter because students matter. Communities matter. And Ohio’s future depends on institutions that prepare graduates not only for careers, but for leadership and service.

The Independent Advantage is not just something we define. It is something we sustain together.

Join Us: CIC Matching Scholarship Challenge Grant

To strengthen this mission, OFIC is also participating in the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Scholarship Challenge Grant program. OFIC has been awarded a $25,000 matching scholarship challenge grant, which can generate up to $50,000 in new scholarship support for students across its 31 member campuses.

The grant works on a 1:1 matching basis: every new or increased dollar contributed by donors is matched by CIC, doubling the impact for students. Funds raised through this effort directly support scholarships for students beyond their first year, helping improve retention and completion at Ohio’s independent colleges.

We invite partners and supporters to join OFIC in meeting this challenge and expanding scholarship access for students across Ohio.

Learn more and join us to support the challenge!