Wilmington University President Dr. LaVerne Harmon has been appointed to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) Board of Directors and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

NAICU is a champion and advocate for private, nonprofit higher education in the United States. Among many of its goals, NAICU is committed to protecting the independence of private, nonprofit institutions, and ensuring that all students, regardless of family income, have access to higher education. NAICU board members are elected to three-year terms by its membership.

“Dr. LaVerne Harmon is a compassionate leader focused on the well-being and success of students across private, nonprofit higher education,” says NAICU President Dr. Barbara K. Mistick. “As President of Wilmington University, she has demonstrated a commitment to developing a student-centered approach to learning designed to provide students with a relevant, accessible, and distinctive education both on campus and online.”

The Delaware State Chamber is the state’s oldest and largest business advocacy organization. While Dr. Harmon has served on the Chamber’s 90-member Board of Governors for several years, she was appointed to the 15-member Board of Directors in January of 2023. The Board of Directors is the Chamber’s actual governing body, with fiduciary responsibilities, final decision-making authority, and numerous other accountabilities.

“We welcome Dr. Harmon onto our Board of Directors,” says Delaware State Chamber of Commerce President Michael J. Quaranta. “Dr. Harmon brings with her more than 30 years of expertise from the higher education sector. Her leadership and guidance will be integral in fulfilling our mission of connecting people to solve problems, create jobs, promote business, and improve the quality of life for all Delawareans.”

“It is important for Wilmington University to be represented at local and national levels, and I am excited to serve on the NAICU and Delaware State Chamber boards,” says Dr. Harmon. “NAICU is committed to protecting private, nonprofit, student-centered institutions like ours to ensure that legislation, policies and other regulations align with students’ needs.”

As a longtime advocate of community service, Dr. Harmon is also delighted to serve the Delaware State Chamber at the Board-of-Director level. “Wilmington University has always been responsive to the needs of the community,” she says. “This designation allows me to participate in a more comprehensive way to the economic and legislative issues affecting all Delaware residents.”

Dr. Harmon also serves on the boards of The Mary Campbell Center, American Council on Education: Office of Women in Higher Education Delaware Network, United Way of Delaware, Boys & Girls Club of Delaware, and The Grand Opera House.