College President Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B. has been elected chair of two higher education boards: the New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC) and Campus Compact for New Hampshire (CCNH).
Founded in 1966, the NHCUC is a 16-member consortium that initiates programs statewide for student recruitment, professional development, resource sharing and public advocacy for higher education.
"The NHCUC is the only statewide consortium of public and private higher education institutions of its kind in the country," said Thomas R. Horgan, president and CEO, adding that recent initiatives include a joint purchase program for interlibrary loan services, a career fair for graduating seniors, and joint marketing efforts directed toward high school students and guidance counselors throughout the northeast. The NHCUC also serves as the coordinating organization for the New Hampshire Forum on the Future and The Initiative for Corporate Responsibility and Investor Protection, two initiatives focusing on issues critical to New Hampshire. "We are indeed fortunate to have Fr. Jonathan lead both of these higher education organizations," Horgan said. "He is widely respected by college and university presidents throughout New Hampshire, and his vision and leadership will be critical to moving us forward."
Now in his 18th year as president of Saint Anselm, Fr. Jonathan is the longest serving college president in the state. "He has a great sense of history of the NHCUC," said Horgan, "and he appreciates the importance of collaboration among institutions of higher education, both public and private."
Founded in 1997 and working closely with the NHCUC, Campus Compact for New Hampshire joins college and university presidents with private sector partners in a commitment to the civic purposes of higher education. Debby Scire, executive director of CCNH stated, "Fr. Jonathan is a founding member of Campus Compact for New Hampshire and has a deep and abiding commitment to community service and service learning."
Fr. Jonathan will serve two-year terms as chair for each organization.