About

Stretching across the United States, from Florida to Washington, and around the world, from the shores of Puerto Rico to the Korean peninsula, Presbyterian-related colleges and universities are serving more than 140,000 students.

Learning…to make a Difference

Faith isn’t a “one size fits all” concept, and neither is college. That’s why Presbyterian-related colleges and universities offer more than 50 ways to approach academic excellence, spiritual growth, and personal development. However, they are all bound by a shared commitment to access, equity and affordability that enables students from all backgrounds to be well-served. This is of paramount importance when you consider that nearly 60% of the 140,000 students being served are the first in their families to attend college, 48% are from families with challenging socioeconomic circumstances, and 34% are from underrepresented minority groups.

Seriously Diverse

Some are in big cities, others are in small towns. Some are progressive in their thinking, while others are more conservative. Their cultures range from preppy to bohemian. While some may enroll several thousand students, others serve just a few hundred. The bottom line: Presbyterian-related colleges and universities represent a broad range of social, academic, and spiritual communities but share a strong commitment to learning, faith—and especially service.

Socially Aware

We are schools, not churches—so learning comes first. But Presbyterian-related colleges and universities endeavor to educate whole persons for the whole world. In doing so, they strive to graduate individuals who are not only academically well-prepared, but ready to make a difference in the world.


The Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities

Grounded in Faith. Driven by Discovery.

The Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (APCU) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support and advancement of Presbyterian-related colleges and universities. Our 54 member institutions have found 54 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 across a diverse array of geographic settings that stretch across the continent.

On behalf of its membership, the APCU:

  • Advocates for the importance of higher education within/across the agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Serves as a resource on market trends, institutional advancement strategy, church doctrine, and legislative activity.
  • Assists presidents in the development of strategies, models, and tactics that advance institutional missions.
  • Creates/maintains strategic partnerships that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of member institutions.
  • Administers programs and services that strengthen and distinguish member institutions.
  • Raises funds to develop leaders, equip chaplains, and support students.

Support for Presbyterian-related Colleges & Universities

The APCU has established the Fund for Presbyterian Higher Education. Dollars from the Fund will be used to develop leaders, equip chaplains, and support students through the initiatives described below. We are seeking support from individual donors, family foundations, and national endowments to make this happen and hope that you will prayerfully consider supporting the Fund.

  • The APCU Student Fund: Our members currently commit more than $1.2 billion in institutional dollars each year to support they students they enroll. This funding helps to reduce the average cost of attending an APCU school to less than $22,000 per-year. However, $22,000 is still a lot of money for the majority of families we serve. The APCU Student Fund will help to further reduce this cost while creating scholarship and grant options that target Presbyterian high school youth—particularly minorities and those who will be the first in their families to attend college.

  • The Tahoe Semester: The APCU recently launched an environmentally-focused study away program that is based at the Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center on Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Semester program is open to students at all 54 APCU schools and explores environmental issues through classroom and co-curricular experiences. To honor our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the APCU is seeking sponsors who are able to support the participation of students from low-income and underrepresented minority groups at a cost of $16,000 per-student for the semester.

APCU Organizational Information

APCU Staff

jeff arnold staff headshot

Jeffrey E. Arnold | Executive Director

Jeff has been the executive director of the APCU since 2015. In a career spanning more than 37 years, Jeff has served as vice president for business strategy at Ruffalo Noel Levitz and as an owner/partner at 422 Group/Admissions Lab. Earlier in his career, he was the executive director for higher education marketing at The College Board, and a senior administrator at several universities. He holds degrees from Duquesne University and PennState University. An ordained ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Jeff chairs the Christian Education Team at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church in Johns Creek, Georgia.

Contact Jeff at: jeff.arnold@presbyteriancolleges.org

janna wofford staff headshot

Janna Wofford | Operations Manager

Janna joined the APCU staff in June 2015. She has previously served as the office manager for the Atlanta office of Ruffalo Noel Levitz and as the senior office administrator and human resources manager for 422 Group/Admissions Lab. Janna holds a bachelor’s degree from McMurry University in Texas and a master’s degree from the Teachers College at Columbia University, New York.

Contact Janna at: janna.wofford@presbyteriancolleges.org

Kate Colussy-Estes | Program Associate

Kate brings a considerable amount of experience as an educator and chaplain to bear on her work with the APCU. She has previously served as director of religious life at Elon University and as the Julia Thompson Smith Chaplain at Agnes Scott College. More recently, Kate has served as an interim pastor in the Atlanta area while also teaching at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She is a proud graduate of an APCU member school, Eckerd College, and the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary.

Contact Kate at: kate.colussy-estes@presbyteriancolleges.org

Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities
C/o Agnes Scott College, Box 1102
141 E College Avenue
Decatur, Georgia 30030

Phone: 470.443.1948