NACU and WII Forge a New Strategic Alignment

Creating the most purposeful and accessible DC internship experience for undergraduates. 

The Board of Directors of the New American Colleges and Universities (NACU) and the Washington Internship Institute (WII) agreed to merge, effective November 8, 2022, with the operations, management, and governance being consolidated under NACU’s executive leadership and board. Both boards unanimously agreed to the change and are excited the new strategic alignment will create synergies that benefit students participating in the WII internship programs. 

By joining forces, NACU and WII will leverage each other’s internal expertise and resources to deliver the most impactful, affordable, and accessible DC internship program for undergraduate students. “Since 1995, NACU has served as a strategic network for its campuses. The added capabilities of WII will result in a new signature DC experience for the civically engaged students from NACU campuses,” said Devorah Lieberman, NACU board chair. 

“The WII board has always been focused on providing innovative and engaging internship experiences in our nation’s capital that are affordable and meaningful for students. This merger is an exciting and strategic opportunity for the Institute to combine forces with NACU to create an even more exceptional DC experience for students from all backgrounds and majors,” said Thomas Burns, WII board chair. 

Building upon WII’s more than 30 years of personalized approach and customized internships, the strategic alignment will continue to support a DC program distinguishing itself on purpose and access, specialized education, and internship placements that connect a student’s passion with a meaningful career. The Institute will continue to work with its current public and private institutional partners while welcoming students from NACU’s national network of nearly 30 innovative campuses, which include several minority-serving institutions. 

“Joining forces strengthens both organizations. The NACU-WII combo will help expand experiential learning for undergraduate students and contribute to developing the talent pipeline in this challenging labor market,” said Sean Creighton, president of NACU and WII. 

For more information about the two organizations, visit nacu.edu and wiidc.org.  

About WII 

Formed in 1990 by Dr Mary Ryan, the Washington Internship Institute is an educational nonprofit organization that prepares college students and recent graduates for their future. During a semester or summer in Washington, DC, students learn about themselves and their fields through substantive internships, academic enrichment seminars, site visits, and shared housing. They become engaged and informed citizens and leaders who are equipped to make a difference in the world. 

About NACU 

Founded in 1995, NACU connects campuses to collaborate in the delivery of innovative ideas and to champion the belief that a comprehensive liberal, professional, and civic education is essential to the future of our world. For more information, visit www.nacu.edu or follow at Twitter @NACandU. 

About the NACU Campuses 

NACU campuses are independent colleges and universities dedicated to the purposeful integration of liberal education, professional studies, and civic engagement. They represent 28 institutions, including two Historically Black Colleges & Universities and three Hispanic Serving Institutions and, together, serve more than 100,000 undergraduate and graduate students. See NACU Campuses.