Vaughn College has joined the North American Conference for Intercollegiate Athletics (NACIA) as a full member effective for the 2026-27 academic year. The announcement was made following a recent meeting of the NACIA Presidents Council by council chair, David Cohen. The institution was unanimously accepted by the council.  

“The addition of Vaughn College demonstrates the tremendous progress our conference has made in just two years,” said President Cohen. “Their commitment to academic excellence, student development and competitive athletics aligns perfectly with the mission of NACIA.  The future of NACIA is incredibly bright, and we cannot wait to see what is ahead for our conference and our student-athletes.” 

The NACIA is part of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and has 12 member institutions across New York, New Jersey and Ohio. As the national governing body, the USCAA provides small colleges with opportunities to compete against institutions for national championships and student-athlete recognition. 

“The move to the NACIA provides our student-athletes with another opportunity to compete and be recognized on a national level. It also allows us to compete against local colleges that are similar in size to Vaughn, creating a strong competitive environment for our teams. As our athletics program continues to grow, I am excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring to our student-athletes,” said Jihad Cesar, director of athletics and recreation at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.