The purpose of this board is to foster the relationship between the City of Hickory and its local institutions of higher education, as well as promote collaboration to assist student integration into the community through social engagement, volunteer service, and career development opportunities.  

Board

The Commission is composed of eleven (13) members and one (1) ex officio member.  Three (3) members from the City of Hickory not including ETJ residents, on an at-large basis, appointed by Hickory City Council; three (3) members of faculty and/or staff and students shall be appointed by the President of Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU), or his/her designee, two (2) members shall be faculty and/or staff and one (1) member shall be a student; three (3) members of faculty and/or staff and students shall be appointed by the President of Appalachian State University (ASU), or his/her designee, two (2) members shall be faculty and/or staff and one (1) member shall be a student; three (3) members of faculty and/or staff and students shall be appointed by the President of Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC), or his/her designee, two (2) members shall be faculty and/or staff and one (1) member shall be a student; the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director or his/her designee shall serve as a voting member; the Hickory Downtown Development Association’s Director shall serve as a nonvoting ex-officio member.  Members are eligible to serve two (2) year terms except that student members are eligible to serve only one (1) year terms.  The Hickory Downtown Development Association’s Director and Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director or his/her designee are eligible to serve an unlimited number of two (2) year terms. 

This board meets on the 2nd Wednesday of odd numbered months from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at various locations.  Check the meetings and events calendar for specific details.

RESOLUTION NO. 23-27 - Amendment of the Resolution of the Hickory City Council creating the University City Commission 

Members

City appointments:

(1) At-Large Citizen not including ETJ    Taylor Newton (term expires June ’26)
(1) At-Large Citizen not including ETJ    Constance Snyder (term expires June ’25)
(1) At-Large Citizen not including ETJ    Eric Trent Wood (term expires June ’25) 

Catawba Valley Community College:

(1) Faculty and or staff CVCC     Dr. Felicia Simmons (term expires June ‘26)
(1) Faculty and or staff CVCC     Dr. Johnny Scott (term expires June ’25)
(1) Student LRU      Ashley Rojo-Chavez (term expires June ‘25)

APPState Hickory:

(1) Faculty and or staff AppState Hickory     Dr. Amy Wood (term expires June ’26)
(1) Faculty and or staff AppState Hickory     David Cook (term expires June ’26)
(1) Student CVCC    Macy Carson (term expires June ’25)

Lenoir-Rhyne University:

(1) Faculty and or staff LRU       Justin Hay (term expires June ‘25)
(1) Faculty and or staff LRU       Katie Wohlman (term expires June ’26)
(1) Student LRU        Devin Osborne (term expires June ’25)

Additional Representatives:
                                                
(1) Chamber of Commerce Executive Director    Lindsay Keisler
(1) Hickory Downtown Development Director (non-voting ex-officio)  Amy Fauquet

If you are interested in applying for this commission, please submit a Boards and Commissions Application.
For more information, please contact the UCC Staff Liaison at 828-323-7400.