References

Since I became the founding Chairman of the College Advising Corps 12 years ago, I have had the honor to work alongside Nicole Hurd as she built the premier and largest college access program in the United States. During that time, Nicole influenced the lives of over 500,000 students, partnered with 31 of the nation’s leading institutions of higher education, and graduated over 2500 advisors, the majority of whom are people of color with many the first in their generation to attend college. Nicole has shown remarkable leadership, resourcefulness and insight, single handedly changing the face of higher education. She will be greatly missed as she moves on to the Presidency at Lafayette College, but her imprint will never dull and her legacy will live on as she leaves College Advising Corps in a very strong position. Lafayette College, you have recruited an extraordinary leader, innovator and a woman of great character. Congratulations.

Nicole is one of the most truly extraordinary leaders I have ever worked with. She has great vision , determination and ability to get any task done, done right and done on time . If there is a problem , she works to find a solution. And when she envisions that solution, she leads with keen insight and always from the front . She is kind, thoughtful and caring, yet bold efficient and effective . Your students will love her and they will all benefit from her leadership and genuine warmth and passion for their well being.

When Nicole first told me about the College Advisory Corps ( CAC ) , it was merely an interesting idea that seemed to have merit . Without her leadership it would still be just that interesting idea . But Nicole made it an extraordinary reality that is today having a positive impact on the future of thousands of young people . I’m confident that the board of trustees, the faculty, the alumni and most importantly the students at Lafayette will all come to feel as we do who have worked with her at CAC, that they have been truly blessed to have such an impactful leader as the 18th President of their College . I guarantee you that there is no other leader who will work as hard or care as deeply about the future of your students as Nicole Farmer Hurd, your truly extraordinary 18th President.

Lafayette College will flourish with Nicole Hurd in your presidency. She is a visionary, ambitious for the common good. She is also charming, modest, funny, and approachable. Nicole is a devoted teacher, an eloquent advocate for higher education, a national leader, and a thoughtful neighbor. She has been a force for diversity, equity, and inclusion every day of her career. She will build on what is best about Lafayette.