NAICU Honors TIAA for its Longstanding Commitment to Higher Education
WASHINGTON (February 3, 2026) – The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) presented its Advocacy Award for Longstanding Commitment to Higher Education to TIAA, recognizing the retirement provider’s century-long dedication to advancing the financial security and well-being of educators and nonprofit employees. The award, which was presented during NAICU’s 2026 Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day, was accepted by Kourtney Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Retirement Solutions at TIAA.
“Founded more than 100 years ago to improve financial security for educators, TIAA has demonstrated a sustained, mission-driven commitment to higher education,” said NAICU President Barbara Mistic. “Few organizations have supported the sector as deeply or as consistently, maintaining long-term partnerships with institutions while focusing on the people who power them.”
The NAICU Advocacy Award was established to recognize individuals outside of academia who have championed the cause of independent higher education. Whether in government, business, or philanthropy, the recipient of this award has provided leadership, established resources, or enacted policy at the state or national level that recognized the role of independent colleges and universities in serving public purposes. The award was presented during a reception recognizing NAICU’s 50th anniversary, a milestone event celebrating five decades of advocacy on behalf of independent colleges and universities.
“Receiving this award on behalf of TIAA during NAICU’s 50th anniversary is a special honor,” said Kourtney Gibson. “For five decades, NAICU has been a powerful advocate for independent colleges and universities, and for the people who make those institutions thrive. At TIAA, our commitment to nonprofit institutions and the higher education sector is rooted in the same belief—that supporting faculty and staff’s financial security is essential to the strength and sustainability of our campuses. We are proud to stand with NAICU and its members as partners in ensuring more higher education employees can retire with dignity and confidence.”
TIAA is widely recognized for its leadership in retirement and financial solutions designed for higher education professionals and nonprofit workers, with an emphasis on lifetime financial security across diverse faculty and staff populations. The organization has also expanded access to financial education and retirement planning tools, advancing equity and helping close wealth gaps in academia and beyond.
In addition, the TIAA Institute contributes research and thought leadership to help higher education leaders navigate transformational industry changes and make informed decisions, with insights focused on academic workforce trends, institutional leadership and more. Through innovation, data-driven insights, and a collaborative partnership approach, TIAA continues to adapt to the evolving needs of institutions.
“This award recognizes TIAA not only for its past achievements, but for the enduring role it continues to play in strengthening a more secure and equitable future for higher education professionals,” said Mistick.
About NAICU
The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) serves as the unified voice for the 1,700 private, nonprofit colleges and universities in our nation. Founded in 1976, NAICU is the only national membership organization solely focused on representing private, nonprofit higher education on public policy issues in Washington, DC. NAICU’s membership reflects the spectrum of private, nonprofit higher education in the U.S. NAICU’s member institutions include major research universities, faith-based colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and other Minority-Serving Institutions, art and design colleges, conservatories of music, traditional liberal arts and science institutions, women’s colleges, work colleges, two-year colleges and schools of law, medicine, engineering, business and other professions.
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Dorian Wanzer