About ICI

WHO WE ARE

Independent Colleges of Indiana is the collective voice for excellence and choice in higher education for all students. As a non-profit association, ICI represents Indiana’s 29 private, non-profit, regionally-accredited colleges and universities.

What We Do

  • Public Policy Advocacy, especially in the cause of state and federally-funded student financial aid;
  • Public Information and Research about the performance and contributions of the independent college sector in Indiana;
  • Corporate and Foundation Fundraising, with all funds raised by ICI disbursed to member colleges;
  • Development of Collaborative Services, such as group purchasing and shared services among our campuses;
  • Administration of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, along with other scholarships and grants.

Year Founded

% Students Receiving Financial Aid

Schools Represented

ICI Students

Our History

  • Founded in 1948 as the Associated Colleges of Indiana, originally to serve as a fund-raising organization for Indiana’s independent colleges;
  • Has the distinction of being the first cooperative statewide association of independent colleges in the nation;
  • Represents Indiana’s 29 private, non-profit colleges and universities that are accredited, undergraduate degree-granting institutions of higher education;
  • Became the merged entity of Independent Colleges of Indiana in 2005, when the Independent Colleges of Indiana Foundation legally became part of ICI.

Our President

Dottie L. King, Ph.D., assumed her role as the president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) in August 2023. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Indianapolis, ICI is a non-profit association representing Indiana’s 29 private, non-profit colleges and universities. ICI advocates for students attending private colleges, works on member services and collaborative ventures, and manages the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars program. King has nearly 40 years of higher education experience, most recently serving as the president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) from 2010 to 2023.  

Through her leadership, SMWC experienced record enrollments, growth in academic programming, an expansion of athletic offerings, and a sustained focus on addressing the capital needs of a historic campus. King served in other roles at SMWC including, associate professor of mathematics, chair of the sciences and mathematics department, assistant dean for undergraduate and international programs, and vice president for academic affairs. She is a past chair of the ICI board. 

King serves on the executive board of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). She is a member of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), Indiana Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), Wabash Valley Education Alliance, and Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. 

King holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction/educational leadership from Indiana State University. She and her husband, Wayne, are the proud parents of six children and several grandchildren.

Our Governance

ICI is under the supervision of its Board of Directors comprised of forty-five directors unless otherwise indicated. The majority of the board’s members are known as “Designated Directors,” and are presidents of the ICI member institutions whose terms are coterminous with his or her service as the president of their institution. The Designated Directors may set a number of “Elected Directors” who represent both legislative and corporate interests. The President/CEO of ICI serves as an ex-officio voting member of the Board of Directors.

Learn more

ICI's Office

Independent Colleges of Indiana
30 South Meridian Street, Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-236-6090

ICI’s office is located in the Kite Building. The entrance is next to the Oceanaire restaurant. Walk in and you will immediately see the security desk. Please give them your name and the person at ICI you are coming to see. Security will call us or check an attendee list to allow you entrance. Take an elevator up to the 8th floor. Turn left out of the elevator and proceed to the end of the hall. Take the hall to the right to find the restrooms.

For parking suggestions, please visit Indy Downtown Parking or park at one of these nearby garages:

  • Blue Garage: Turn west on Georgia Street. The garage entrance is half a block down on the right. There is a stairwell behind the entrance that will take you up to Georgia Street; turn left and walk to the corner of Georgia and Meridian streets. Turn left again and walk a block and a half to our entrance on the left side of the street just past Oceanaire restaurant.
  • Merchants Garage: The Merchants Garage is located directly across the street from the entrance to the Kite Building at 31 South Meridian Street. 
  • Street meter parking with limits of 2-4 hours may also be available. Click here for directions for using the meter and paying with a credit card. You are also able to add additional time on the meter from your smartphone using the Parkmobile app from wherever you are. Our zip code for searching is 46204.

In bad weather, you may take the escalator or elevator up to the third floor of the mall (M3) and call us at 317-236-6090. We will meet you at the food court and escort you in the back entrance.

Forgot something or just need to drop something off? 20 Minute parking is located directly in front of our building. Let Security know you will be right back.

Our Staff

Click here to learn about our staff.