Dr. Sylvia Manning, HLC President, to Deliver National Commencement Keynote

Dr. Sylvia Manning

CINCINNATI, OH – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private non-profit university headquartered in
Cincinnati today announced that Dr. Sylvia Manning, president of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, will serve as the commencement speaker at UI&U’s National Commencement, Saturday, October 15, at the Cincinnati Hilton Netherland Plaza in downtown Cincinnati.

The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional institutional accreditors and the oldest accrediting organization in the United States. Under the authority of the North Central Association (NCA), the HLC currently accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in 19 states and is officially recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation for its commitment to promoting the highest standards in higher education.

Appointed by the HLC Board as president in 2008, Manning’s vision has been to strengthen participation of the Commission's institutional leaders in helping to create the voice of the Commission on issues of state, regional, and national importance. She is committed to keeping accreditation timely, relevant, and accountable for members of the public and, most importantly, for the students served by HLC accredited institutions.

“We are deeply honored that Dr. Manning will serve as Union’s national commencement speaker,” said Dr. Roger H. Sublett, president of Union Institute & University. “Her leadership of the Commission is paramount in the advancement of academic excellence in our country. Dr. Manning has been instrumental in providing stellar leadership during a time of change and challenges in higher education. Dr. Manning is ultimately committed to the student, ensuring that the institutions of higher learning provide high quality, innovative, and relevant education.”

Manning previously served the University of Illinois for 13 years, the last eight as Chancellor of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to joining the University of Illinois in 1994 as Vice President of Academic Affairs, she served in a number of faculty and senior leadership roles at the University of Southern California and California State University, Hayward. She has served on regional accreditation teams for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as well as for The Higher Learning Commission and as a public member for a specialized accrediting agency for degree programs in nursing.

Manning holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. from Yale University in English language and literature and a B.A. in English from McGill University.

For more information about UI&U’s National Commencement contact Nicole Hamilton, public relations manager at 513-487-1194 or at nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.