Rana Altenburg, associate vice president of public affairs, has been named to the board of directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and will serve a three-year appointment through June 2027 as an ad hoc at-large member representing government affairs officers.
Founded in 1976, NAICU is the only national membership organization solely focused on representing private, nonprofit higher education on public policy issues in Washington, D.C. NAICU board members set the association’s agenda on federal higher education policy, actively encourage support for the association’s priorities and initiatives, and oversee the organization’s financial administration.
“Rana has an established reputation as a champion of Marquette University, its mission and its priorities with government agencies and community partners on a local, state and national level,” said Ralph Weber, vice president and general counsel at Marquette. “As a well-respected advocate for student aid and higher education policy, we are proud to have her representing Marquette on the NAICU board and lending a voice to the government affairs stakeholders throughout the membership.”
Altenburg leads Marquette’s government affairs and community engagement initiatives. In the community, she serves as president of Near West Side Partners and as a member of the boards of directors of Business Improvement District No. 10, Seton Catholic Schools, and the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Nationally, she serves on the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation Board of Directors.
As one of the six major presidential higher education associations, NAICU’s institutional membership is composed of presidents from accredited private, nonprofit colleges and universities. The organization’s relationships, expertise and credibility allow it to be an effective messenger for the diverse voices of its membership. Its policy mission is focused on issues affecting student aid, tax policy and government regulation.
