CHICAGO, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dr. David L. Parkyn, president of North Park University, Chicago, this week began a three-year term as one of 48 members of the board of directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

NAICU members are private, nonprofit colleges and universities, and private professional schools totaling more than 1,000 higher education institutions. Parkyn's election was ratified at the NAICU board meeting this week in Washington following his election to the board late last year. As a board member, he will represent the NAICU region that includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

"President Parkyn was selected by his peers because of his expertise in the field, proven leadership, and commitment to America's college students," said NAICU President David L. Warren. "He assumes his responsibilities at a time of great challenge and transformation for American higher education."

"The invitation to join the NAICU board of directors is an opportunity for service in support of colleges and universities across the country," Parkyn said. He also emphasized his appointment is an opportunity to work "in support of the many students at North Park who receive federal financial aid."

The NAICU "serves as the unified national voice of independent higher education," according to its website. Since 1976, it has represented private colleges and universities on policy issues with the federal government, such as those affecting student aid, taxation, and government regulation. The organization's staff tracks campus trends, conducts research, analyzes higher education issues, publishes information, helps coordinate state-level activities, and advises members of legislative and regulatory developments with potential impact on their institutions.

Parkyn has served as president of the University since 2006. His career includes higher education experience at Endicott College, Beverly, Mass. where he taught religious studies and philosophy, and was director of religious life; Messiah College, Grantham, Pa., where served 23 years in various teaching and senior-level administrative positions; and Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, where Parkyn was provost and senior vice president before he became North Park University president.

Information about North Park University is at http://www.northpark.edu on the Web.

SOURCE North Park University

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