“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 2,500 advisers—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.”
—Peter Grauer, chairman of Bloomberg L.P. and founding chair of the College Advising Corps
“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.”
“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
“I cannot think of a better choice than Dr. Nicole Hurd to lead any academic institution. Her commitment to breaking down the systemic barriers to admission and making higher education an option for everyone is the way colleges and universities should be thinking. While serving with her on the board of CAC, I watched her create pathways for success for thousands of students. And not just by raising funds and shifting policy, but by traveling all over the country to meet, listen to, and advocate for them face to face. But beyond all of her tireless work and the passion that she brings to it, she is a true beacon of love. Love actually radiates from Dr. Hurd. Congratulations, Lafayette College. Y’all picked a real one.”