Fraternities – national organizations, alumni and students – are working together to confront and address the challenges and risks within fraternities and the campus environment.
Complex campus concerns are not solved with quick fixes. When students, alumni, community members, national organizations and campus professionals collaborate to create measures and infrastructure, there is greater ownership and accountability to the change.
In the past five years, the North American Interfraternity Conference member fraternities – representing the vast majority of men’s fraternities – have come together to create shared expectations and implement measures that truly make communities safer.
Passed new, critical Health & Safety Standards for fraternities that build upon prevention efforts and programs, including:
Adoption of standardized Health and Safety Guidelines across all chapters – and campus Interfraternity Councils – to standardize and strengthen measures to protect students.
Formed the Anti-Hazing Coalition (AHC), an unprecedented partnership with families who lost their sons to hazing. The AHC:
Works at state and federal levels to pursue anti-hazing legislation that delivers greater transparency, strengthens criminal penalties and encourages prosecution, calls for university accountability for bad actors, provides for amnesty to encourage people to call for help and calls for student education.
SAVE THE DATE: 2027 FGA SYMPOSIUM – AUGUST 29, 2027
The NIC’s Fraternity Growth Accelerator (FGA) provides emerging fraternities with the platform to collaborate on necessary resources and services. This effort will support their continued growth and development within the North American Interfraternity Conference and the fraternal movement.
The FGA Symposium is an opportunity for all FGA organizations to meet and collaborate on common topics for members of the Fraternal Growth Accelerator. All FGA members are welcome to attend the Symposium which is held in conjunction with the NIC Annual Meeting of Members and FFE Seminar. The 2026 Symposium will be held in person at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.
Benefits of Attending
I highly recommend this program as a tool to both educate and motivate yourself as well as other staff / volunteers from your fraternity. This is a unique opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. I hope you consider attending the FGA symposium.
Timothy A. Smith, MBA, Executive Director, Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Inc.
The FGA symposium is a great opportunity for members to meet counterparts in a collaborative environment, focusing on issues that affect smaller and specialized fraternal organizations. The educational sessions, along with the round table discussions, are tailored to input received directly from FGA members.
Registration for the Symposium costs $100 per attendee and includes lunch and programming.
Who Should Register
All volunteer leaders and/or staff of FGA fraternities are welcome to attend the FGA Symposium and NIC Meeting of Members.
How to Register
Register to attend the FGA Symposium by clicking the button below, logging in to FS Central and selecting the 2026 NIC FGA SYMPOSIUM form on the Events tab.
The event will take place at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (IMD).
Our room block at the Indianapolis Marriott is nearing max capacity. To book accommodations, attendees should select their preferred room nights through the Book Hotel Stay button below and will be provided the hotel options available for their stay, either at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (while inventory is available) or the SpringHill Suites by Marriott (5-10 minute walk to IMD by sky bridge).
The room block booking deadline is August 17.
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown 350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225 Room rate: $189/night + taxes/fees
Overflow Property: SpringHill Suites by Marriott 601 W Washington St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Room rate: $149/night + taxes/fees
Cancellation Policy for NIC/FFE rate: Hotel cancellations made 48 hours or less before arrival will be subject to a charge of one night plus applicable taxes.
2026 Schedule-at-a-Glance
The 2026 NIC session lineup highlights critical topics for fraternal industry professionals. By attending the NIC Annual Meeting of Members, volunteer leaders and staff for FGA fraternities accessed timely and relevant education that offered direct application to further each organization.
Fraternities have stood the test of time. The first fraternity was formed the same year the Declaration of Independence was signed. With nearly 250 years of history behind us, fraternities have shown how bringing men together around friendship, scholarship and service fosters incredible personal growth and belonging, providing significance for a lifetime.
But the challenges fraternities face today are real. Less men are going to college each year – making up only 40% of the student body. Even fewer are graduating, and higher education is projecting a further significant decline in enrollment over the next few years. Alcohol abuse, addiction and hazing continue to be problems that persist across college campuses. Experts are calling loneliness an “epidemic” among college men, and they are experiencing depression at increasing rates.
Today’s college men need fraternities more than ever before.
Recent research has also proven how fraternities provide life-changing support, community and connection, and strong leadership development and professional networking to today’s college men.
This important research has enabled fraternities to make data-driven decisions to meet the needs of today’s students. From developing new programs to shifting recruitment strategies, solid data has given us the foundation from which to drive critical support to our chapters, undergraduates and volunteers. And it’s also given us the proof points we need to reshape the narrative around fraternities to potential members, parents, alumni, administrators and even the media.
By continuing our research, we can better understand the next generation of college men and how fraternities can evolve to attract them and provide them with a dynamic, fulfilling experience. And to continue to grow, we must position fraternities as essential in the eyes of our future members and key stakeholders.
Studies Show
Fraternities are an accelerator for success in college and beyond.
Fraternities create lifelong connection to the campus, community and friends.
Fraternity members experience stronger mental health.
With your partnership and support, we can future-proof fraternities, so they may provide life-changing value for generations of men yet to come.
Our Priorities
Uncovering the Truth
Shaping fraternities for today and tomorrow
The fraternity experience can be truly powerful. Done right, it is life-changing for men and fosters their success in college and beyond.
Conducting critical research shows fraternities which practices deliver that dynamic experience – and which don’t. And as we look ahead, we are eager to continue this research which can teach us what the next generation of college students could seek in the experience, helping to strengthen and evolve fraternities for the future.
Guide how we shape fraternities for the future, including strategies around recruitment, programs and experiences, housing, risk prevention and more.
Highlight the value of fraternities to potential new members and their parents through targeted social media campaigns that drive recruitment leads.
Show volunteers, alumni and donors the value and impact of the mentorship and contributions.
Reshape the public narrative by positioning fraternities positively in the media.
Bolster donor and volunteer support for existing and new programs when the data shows evidence around what “works.”
Engage stakeholders in expert-led symposiums around key data, trends and their implications.
Provide educational resources for important audiences – volunteers, staffs, officers, higher ed partners – to lead their work.
Address challenges and respond to external headwinds and prohibitive actions with facts.
$750,000
Funds to cover ten studies over a two-year period at $75,000 each.
Amplifying our Value
And expanding our reach
Good PR is about reaching the audience where they are with what they need to hear. Our plan is to connect with high school seniors, their parents and school counselors through scholarship programs by sharing the value of the experience and drawing in men ready to seize involvement opportunities. We’ll pair this with targeted marketing and media outreach to continue to shape the narrative around fraternities in the public eye. Simply put, driving awareness and expanding our reach is the key to fraternities’ long-term growth and sustainability.
Fraternity communities and chapters will have qualified recruitment leads driven directly to them.
Chapters will see a new pool of recruits, who are seeking the leadership opportunities and the community of support fraternities provide.
Scholarships will create access and affordability to the increasingly diverse student population, alleviating climbing student debt.
Parents will be more informed and readily able to support their sons in joining a fraternity.
Audiences will have a balanced look at fraternities, because media response and digital campaigns will focus on the benefits of the experience.
$750,000
Funds to cover outreach to high school seniors, education leaders and parents at $250,000 annually.
We Can’t Do This Without You
Your investment will help us address real-world problems while continuing to advance the fraternal community. We hope you’ll come alongside us as we seek to future-proof fraternities, together!
Ten critical research studies: $750,000 ($75,000 per study)
Outreach to high school seniors, education leaders and parents: $750,000 (three years at $250,000 annually)
Includes 5,000 complimentary “Making an Impact” brochures; three-year access to scholarship recipient list; public relations naming rights; research naming rights; three virtual, generic programs with research experts; three personalized in-person or virtual programs with research experts.
Includes 3,000 complimentary “Making an Impact” brochures; three-year access to scholarship recipient list; public relations naming rights; research naming rights; two virtual, generic programs with research experts; one personalized in-person or virtual program with research experts.
Includes: Three-year access to scholarship list; public relations naming rights; research naming rights; one virtual, generic program with research experts.
Organizations with less than 20 chapters will receive 100 complimentary “Making an Impact” brochures and three-year access to scholarship recipient list.
We are grateful for each donor who has contributed to the campaign thus far. Without their generous gifts we would not be able to continue making an impact on the fraternity experience through research. This list was updated on May 6, 2022.
The Foundation for Fraternal Excellence and the North American Interfraternity Conference are excited to announce the recipients of the inaugural Men’s College Scholarship designed to identify and reward outstanding high school seniors who have demonstrated an ability to excel in the fields of academics, extra-curricular school activities and community involvement.
Men are going to college with less frequency than in the past, and not persisting to graduation at the same rates as women. According to The Wall Street Journal, at the close of the 2020-21 academic year, women made up 59.5% of college students, an all-time high, and men 40.5%, according to enrollment data from the National Student Clearinghouse, a nonprofit research group. U.S. colleges and universities had 1.5 million fewer students compared with five years ago, and men accounted for 71% of the decline.
To counter this trend, a diverse group of fraternity alumni founded the Men’s College Scholarship Program to inspire college attendance and academic success by young men. A college education is important and opens many opportunities to students including the many potential benefits of fraternity membership. In fact, recent research has proven fraternities are more relevant than ever before and foster success in college and beyond.
Fraternities create lifelong connections to campuses, communities and friends. Members are three times more likely to obtain an internship while in college and almost twice as likely to have a job waiting when they graduate. The research has also shown that fraternity members experience stronger mental health and are almost five times as likely to be satisfied with their lives as alumni. (Fraternity membership is not a scholarship requirement.)
The 2022 scholarship recipients represent a wide variety of backgrounds from 29 different states and a third are first generation college students. We look forward to seeing this program grow in future years.
SAVE THE DATE: 2027 MEETING OF MEMBERS – AUGUST 30, 2027
For several years, the NIC has successfully hosted the Annual Meeting of Members in conjunction with the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence Seminar, offering a dynamic dual experience at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown in Indianapolis, Indiana.
2026 Schedule-at-a-Glance
The 2026 NIC session lineup will highlight critical topics for fraternal industry professionals. By attending the NIC Annual Meeting of Members, staff and volunteer leaders have access to timely and relevant education that offers direct application to further their work.
Schedule subject to change and will be updated as presenters and sessions are confirmed.
Sunday, August 30 (Pre-conference, add-on programming)
NIC member organization executives, C-suite and director-level staff
NIC member chapter support staff
NIC member volunteer leaders/board members
All registrants attending the Annual Meeting of Members will have the opportunity to attend the Meeting of Members, which will address the business of the Conference; network with Alliance Partners to discuss how their business could benefit your organization; and attend programming that is timely and relevant to the future of fraternity life.
When registering, we encourage you to consider if one of the following pre-con or fraternal foundation programs supports your role:
Standard registration rates: July 1 – July 31 (CLOSED)
Late registration rates: August 1 – 14 (CLOSED)
How to register: Log into FS Central through the button below and complete the 2026 NIC Annual Meeting & FFE Seminar registration form on the Events tab. Select “Monday Only – NIC Meeting” registration type to attend.
Annual Meeting of Members Registration Rates
Number of Organization Attendees
Total Cost (Early-bird Rate)
Total Cost (Standard Rate)
1
$350
$450
2-3
$600
$700
4-5
$925
$1,025
*No bundle pricing available after July 31, 2026 If you would like additional information about registering with bundle pricing, please contact Gretchen Foran with the number of attendees from your organization.
Do you have team members who support both the fraternity and foundation? Consider the registration options below:
Register for the Dual Meeting experience (NIC Annual Meeting of Members & FFE Seminar). See 2026 schedule for more details about the Monday and Tuesday programming.
Dual Meeting Registration Rates
REGISTRATION FOR THIS PROGRAM IS CLOSED.
Number of Organization Attendees
Total Cost (Early-bird Rate)
Total Cost (Standard Rate)
Total Cost (Late Rate)
1
$625
$725
$825
How to register for the NIC/FFE Dual Meeting: Log into FS Central through the button below and complete the 2026 NIC Annual Meeting of Members & FFE Seminar registration form on the Events tab. Select “Monday & Tuesday – Dual Meeting (NIC Meeting + FFE Seminar) registration type.
Location & Lodging
The event will take place at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (IMD).
Our room block at the Indianapolis Marriott is nearing max capacity. To book accommodations, attendees should select their preferred room nights through the Book Hotel Stay button below and will be provided the hotel options available for their stay, either at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (while inventory is available) or the SpringHill Suites by Marriott (5-10 minute walk to IMD by sky bridge).
The room block booking deadline is August 17.
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown 350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225 Room rate: $189/night + taxes/fees
Overflow Property: SpringHill Suites by Marriott 601 W Washington St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Room rate: $149/night + taxes/fees
Cancellation Policy for NIC/FFE rate: Hotel cancellations made 48 hours or less before arrival will be subject to a charge of one night plus applicable taxes.
Indianapolis, December 21, 2021— The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) announces Todd Shelton will depart staff on December 31 to pursue independent communication and public relations consulting.
With two decades of strategic communication experience, Shelton joined the NIC in 2018 and has served as Chief Communication Officer since January 2019.
“We greatly appreciate Todd’s efforts on behalf of the NIC and the greater fraternal community,” said Judson Horras, NIC President & CEO. “We look forward to his continued success.”
During his time at the NIC, Shelton further developed industry-wide response protocols and resources and directed the communication strategy for the NIC and Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE). He led the development and successful execution of the myFraternity proactive campaign. He provided leadership for rebrand efforts for the NIC and FFE and co-led the Stand Up To Harvard public relations effort in defense of the single-sex fraternity/sorority experience.
As Shelton exits, Hillary Brewer will continue her role as Director of Communication. Brewer joined the NIC staff this year from Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity where she began her career in 2012 as an educational leadership consultant followed by a role in new chapter development for the women’s organization. Since 2015, she served the fraternity in communication roles including Creative Director for their award-winning efforts since 2019. She currently serves a volunteer role as Vice President of Programming on the board of directors for the Fraternity Communications Association.
Shelton will continue to provide communication project assistance to the NIC on a contract basis. Member fraternities and Interfraternity Councils should continue to email PR@nicfraternity.org for public relations assistance. Shelton can be reached at todd.shelton@yallcomm.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.