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A campus building of Regent University that joins the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia.

Regent University Joins Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Oct. 1, 2024) – The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, Inc. (CICV) is pleased to announce that Regent University has officially become its newest member, confirmed through a resolution of the CICV Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting held on September 25, 2024, at the University of Lynchburg.

Regent University, founded in 1977, has consistently been recognized for strong academic programs. For 12 consecutive years, Regent has been ranked the Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report. For 16 years, The Chronicle of Higher Education has named Regent a Great College to Work For®. Additionally, Regent’s School of Law has garnered a reputation for producing leaders in public service and legal advocacy.

Chancellor Gordon Robertson expressed the university’s excitement about this new partnership: “We are honored to join the ranks of CICV and collaborate with Virginia’s other esteemed accredited nonprofit private institutions. Regent University is committed to excellence in education, and through this partnership, we look forward to contributing to the collective mission of advancing higher education across the Commonwealth.”

CICV, which now represents 28 accredited nonprofit independent colleges and universities across Virginia, is dedicated to advancing the interests of independent higher education in the state. Its members support approximately 30,000 employees, generate over $157M in state and local tax revenue, and have a collective $4.6B impact on the Commonwealth.  Regent’s partnership with CICV marks a significant expansion of this collaboration, leveraging shared resources and best practices that foster academic excellence and institutional sustainability.

Stephen Bruce, Regent University’s CFO, echoed the sentiment: “Regent University’s inclusion in CICV marks a significant step. We are excited about this membership’s opportunities to align with fellow institutions and share best practices that will benefit our students and the broader academic community.”


The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, Inc. (CICV) was founded in 1971 and works to enhance the quality of education, strengthen institutional resources, and promote the value of nonprofit private higher education in Virginia. For more information about CICV and its member institutions, please visit www.cicv.org.

 About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university, with more than 13,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study, including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 12 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2024).

To support the Royals Rise capital campaign for campus expansion, visit webdev.regent.edu/royalsrise.

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