The Association for Black Culture Centers is set to move from Knox College to NIU July 1.

The association “seeks to celebrate, promote and critically examine the culture of people of African descent,” according to its website. NIU President Doug Baker said having the association on campus will help NIU provide “another opportunity to enrich the educational experience of all of our students,” according to an NIU news release.

Three members of its leadership will join NIU faculty and staff as part of the move, according to NIU:

• Association founder Fred Hord, who will have a position in the provost’s office and will work in the Department of Counseling Adult and Higher Education
• Association executive assistant Terry Duff, who will help in the group’s transition to NIU
• Webmaster Donald Forti, who will work with the association and NIU’s Division of Marketing and Communications, according to an NIU news release

The transition from Knox College to NIU is expected to take about two years, and NIU has been communicating with the association about the move for about 15 months, according to NIU.

The association will be welcomed to NIU at a 12:30 p.m. March 27 event in Altgeld Hall.