HARRISBURG, PA — The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) will honor three distinguished leaders for their exceptional service to higher education, advocacy, and finance during its annual meeting on Monday, March 24, at the Hilton Harrisburg. The event will bring together dozens of college presidents, legislators, and special guests to celebrate the contributions of individuals whose efforts have significantly impacted the independent nonprofit higher education sector.
This year’s honorees include Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Sarah Flanagan, and Linda Eremita, each recognized for their unique contributions to the advancement of education and institutional sustainability. AICUP President Thomas P. Foley highlighted the significance of this recognition, stating, “This is truly a rare honor. We put a lot of effort in the selection process, and it’s not a given that we will give any award each year. I hope that fact speaks to the magnitude of this recognition, because each of these three leaders have gone above and beyond to serve independent nonprofit higher education in such a way that needed to be recognized.”
Awardees and Achievements
Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D.
Sister Mary Persico, President Emerita of Marywood University and AICUP Chair Emeritus, will receive the Francis J. Michelini Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education. With nearly a decade of leadership at Marywood, Persico strengthened the university’s fiscal foundation and increased enrollment. A dedicated community leader, she also contributed to the Governor’s Higher Education Working Group and several community boards, demonstrating her long-standing commitment to higher education.
Sarah Flanagan
Sarah Flanagan, Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Development at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), will be awarded the Robert P. Casey Medal for Distinguished Achievement. A trusted expert and staunch advocate for higher education, Flanagan’s work over three decades has helped shape policy at the national level. Her career includes serving as a higher education staff leader on the Senate Subcommittee on Education under Senator Claiborne Pell. Flanagan’s imminent retirement in spring 2025 marks the conclusion of an illustrious career dedicated to public service.
Linda Eremita
Recognized with the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement, Linda Eremita’s four-decade career in education finance has fortified the financial health of numerous institutions. Leading higher education bond financing programs at Stifel and serving key roles at PNC Capital Markets and other financial institutions, Eremita’s efforts have supported tens of thousands of students. Her expertise also extends to governance, having served on boards for several universities and nonprofits.
These awards spotlight the critical contributions of individuals working behind the scenes to elevate independent nonprofit higher education. The recognition of these three leaders at AICUP’s annual meeting reflects their enduring legacies in shaping the future of academia and supporting the success of educational institutions across Pennsylvania and beyond.
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