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PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – July 25, 2023 – Marie Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D., president of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Providence Campus, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). In this role, effective July 1, 2023, President Bernardo-Sousa represents Region 1, which includes the six New England States.

Founded in 1976, NAICU is the only national membership organization solely focused on representing the nation’s 1700 private, nonprofit colleges and universities on public policy issues in Washington, DC. NAICU board members set the agenda on federal higher education policy for the organization, actively encourage support for the association’s priorities and initiatives, and oversee the organization’s financial administrations. Board members serve three-year terms.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve on the NAICU Board of Directors,” said President Bernardo-Sousa. “I will ensure ´óÏó´«Ã½ and the region’s other independent colleges and universities will have a voice in Washington when important higher education policy decisions are made. This role will also afford me the opportunity to learn best practices from my colleagues and share ´óÏó´«Ã½’s successes.”

Bernardo-Sousa, who has been president of ´óÏó´«Ã½’s Providence Campus since 2019, holds a Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University, a Master of Science degree in Human Resources from Emmanuel College, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from ´óÏó´«Ã½.

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Founded in 1914, ´óÏó´«Ã½ is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. ´óÏó´«Ã½’s unique model provide students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at ´óÏó´«Ã½ is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer McGee, Director of External Communications & Media Relations, 202.427.5981, Jennifer.McGee@jwu.edu