Our Staff
Mason Dyer
President
mason.dyer@aikcu.org
Mason Dyer was named AIKCU president in February 2023 after briefly serving as interim president.
He has extensive experience in AIKCU operations, having served in several roles since joining the nonprofit in 2005. He most recently was vice president of public affairs, where he oversaw marketing/communications and research efforts, worked alongside the president in the areas of policy and government relations, and coordinated meetings and activities for many of the AIKCU Affiliate Groups.
Mason previously worked for Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass. He holds degrees from two AIKCU member institutions: a bachelor’s degree from Centre College, where he double majored in English and history, and a master’s degree in Business Communication from Spalding University. As an AmeriCorps alumnus prior to entering the nonprofit world, he completed additional graduate work in English and taught first-year composition.
He represents Kentucky's independent colleges with his involvement on these state and national boards and committees.
State Boards & Committees
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Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority Board of Directors
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Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
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Kentucky Nonprofit Network Board of Directors, Vice Chair
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Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program Board of Directors
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Kentucky Historical Society Board of Directors
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Commonwealth Education Continuum
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State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education
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Council on Postsecondary Education Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund Steering Committee
National Committees
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National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities State Executives Committee
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NAICU Committee on Policy Analysis and Public Relations
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Council of Independent Colleges State Council Advisory Committee, Chair
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Council of Independent Colleges Board of Directors
Professional Development
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Leadership Kentucky Class of 2024
Mason lives in Lexington with his wife, a public-school educator. They have three children, all of whom have attended independent colleges.
CONTACT FOR AIKCU AFFINITY GROUPS:
Presidents, Chief Academic Officers, Campus Culture and Community Relations Officers (with Carol Johnson Juett), Legislative Liaisons
Carol Johnson Juett
Associate Vice President for Member and External Relations
carol.juett@aikcu.org
Carol Johnson Juett came to AIKCU in 2020 to serve as associate vice president for Member and External Relations. She coordinates membership activities and works with a variety of external constituencies.
She has more than 25 years of experience in state government and nonprofit associations. She previously served as director of development and corporate relations at The Council of State Governments. While there she created business community partnerships to support CSG’s educational efforts across a wide range of issues and was instrumental in the success of the CSG Henry Toll Fellowship program, the nation’s premier leadership development program for state government officials from all three branches of government. She has also been on staff for two Kentucky Senate presidents.
Carol majored in English at Georgetown College, an AIKCU member institution located in her hometown.
CONTACT FOR AIKCU AFFINITY GROUPS:
Admissions Officers, Campus Safety Officers, Career Services Officers, Campus Culture and Community Relations Officers (with President Dyer), Facilities Officers, Financial Aid Officers, Marketing/Communications Officers (with Leigh Anne Hiatt)
Marc Mathews
Finance and Business Services Consultant
marc.mathews@aikcu.org
Marc Mathews joined AIKCU in 2026 as a part-time finance and business services consultant. He works closely with AIKCU's CFO group and manages AIKCU’s collaborative and cost savings programs, including its self-funded employee health insurance purchasing collaborative, competitive retirement benefits program, and discounts and pricing relationships on a wide variety of higher education products and services.
Marc has more than 40 years of expertise in financial management and accounting, having served as vice president for finance and business at Transylvania University, an AIKCU member institution, and as treasurer for the University of Kentucky. In addition to his work with AIKCU, Marc currently serves as a financial consultant for the National Association of College and University Business Officers, where he leads NACUBO Consulting's Financial Risk and Audit practice. His vast experience spans financial operations, risk management, internal control, and endowment management, making him a trusted leader in navigating complex fiscal landscapes within higher education.
Marc has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Transylvania University and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky.
CONTACT FOR AIKCU AFFINITY GROUP:
Business Officers
Leigh Anne Hiatt
Communications Specialist
leighanne.hiatt@aikcu.org
Leigh Anne Hiatt joined AIKCU as communications specialist in 2023 to assist with marketing and communications projects. She has extensive experience heading communications programs in state government, a private college, a statewide association, and health care.
She previously held positions at the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, Georgetown College, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, UnitedHealthcare, and two Kentucky hospitals.
She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown College, an AIKCU member institution, and a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University Bloomington.