The Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (APCU), an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support and advancement of colleges and universities founded by the Presbyterian Church (USA), is going global.
Beginning July 1st, the APCU will expand its institutional membership to include PC(USA) seminaries as well as Presbyterian-founded universities and secondary schools around the world. This decision was made in response to increased interest from leaders at many of these institutions who would like to be more actively engaged with current APCU presidents while benefitting from the range of programs and services available to APCU members.
“This decision opens the door for the APCU to offer comprehensive representation to Presbyterian schools at all levels,” said Dr. Jeffrey Arnold, executive director of the APCU. Arnold noted that, “the association will now be able to speak with a more cohesive voice on behalf of Presbyterian educational institutions while developing a comprehensive, longitudinal service model that more effectively supports students across the Presbyterian educational continuum.”
The expansion plan was first discussed in November 2025 during the annual APCU Presidents’ Retreat. Presidents from three PC(USA) seminaries joined leaders from three Presbyterian-founded secondary schools and 20 current APCU member presidents in a series of sessions that reinforced the tangible benefits to be derived from a more expansive membership model. These benefits include streamlined admission processing, new financial aid incentives, integrated curricular models, and faculty collaboration/exchange.
“We’re excited to welcome Presbyterian seminaries, secondary schools and universities from around the world into the APCU,” said Wesley R. Fugate, president of Wilson College and chair of the APCU Board of Directors. “Much like our denomination, our association remains open to ‘always being reformed’ in ways that impact our students and the world in remarkable ways.”
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary have already committed to membership in the APCU and are encouraging other PC(USA) seminaries to join them. Presbyterian-founded secondary schools in the U.S. and abroad are being informed of this opportunity throughout the month of June.
About the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities
The Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support and advancement of colleges and universities founded by the Presbyterian Church (USA). Our 48 member institutions have found 48 distinct ways to build on their Presbyterian heritage as they seek to impact their students (and the world) in remarkable ways. The result is a broad set of academic, social, and spiritual opportunities available to more than 140,000 students across a diverse array of geographic settings stretching from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Spokane, Washington.
