Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee was recently elected to a new statewide leadership role as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP), effective this month.
“It’s an honor to serve AICUP in this new role,” said President Lee. “AICUP’s commitment to supporting Pennsylvania’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities is vital, especially in today’s higher education landscape. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their important work.”
The association of peers represents more than 80 member institutions that work together to advocate for affordable, accessible and independent nonprofit higher education. Lee has previously served AICUP as the Board’s Vice Chair, the Member Services Committee Chair and secretary/treasurer of the Board of Directors.
President Lee has also served in multiple other facets within higher education since being elected president of Waynesburg University in 2013, including on the NCAA Division III Board of Governors in 2023 and as the Chair of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Presidents’ Council.
Under President Lee’s leadership, Waynesburg University has continued to grow amid a changing higher education landscape. The University is frequently recognized for its value, outcomes and award-winning entrepreneurial leadership program, and new construction and renovations on campus continually enhance campus, providing the best possible experiences for students. Most recently, the University completed construction on its new Center for Criminal Justice & Forensic Investigation, and renovations are currently underway in the Benedum Dining Hall.
In 2023, Lee was a recipient of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce's Distinguished Service Award, and in 2022, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He was selected as an awardee of the Pittsburgh Business Times Outstanding CEOs and Top Executives in 2017. In 2016, he was a co-recipient of the Southpointe CEO Association’s World Class CEO Award, and in 2013, he was named to The Pennsylvania Business Central's Top 100 People list.
An endurance athlete, Lee is a finisher of three Ironman Triathlons and six marathons, including the Marine Corps Marathon and Death Valley Marathon.
Newly elected board members for the 2025 AICUP board also include: Wendy Cadge of Bryn Mawr College, Wes Fugate of Wilson College, Jonathan Green of Susquehanna University, Tom Looney of King’s College, Jonathan Peri of Manor College, Elizabeth Rider of Elizabethtown College, Stacey Robertson of Widener University and Cathy Young of Moore College of Art & Design.
About AICUP
The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) is the only statewide organization that serves exclusively the interests of independent, nonprofit higher education within the Commonwealth and exists to complement and support the work of campus leaders. AICUP was established in October 1995 through the affiliation of three existing educational organizations.
About Waynesburg U.
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with an additional site for graduate and professional programs in Southpointe.
