President Denise A. Battles was elected to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) Board of Directors during the association’s annual meeting on Nov. 1.
The AASCU is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of more than 400 public colleges, universities, and systems whose member institutions share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development.
“I am honored to have been elected to the AASCU Board of Directors” said Battles. “AASCU’s commitment to strengthening academic quality, promoting access and inclusion, and facilitating educational innovation is in alignment with Geneseo’s mission and priorities. This is a critical time for public higher education, as we strive to deliver an affordable, accessible and excellent education that equips our students for success in their professional and personal endeavors. I look forward to working with this talented group of university and college presidents from across the nation to be an advocate for public higher education and to ensure we have the requisite resources and support to produce graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s economy.”
Battles will serve alongside the following presidents and chancellors on the AASCU Board of Directors in 2017:
- Chair: Deborah F. Stanley, president, State University of New York College at Oswego
- Chair-elect: Mildred García, president of California State University, Fullerton
- Past Chair: Stephen M. Jordan, president, Metropolitan State University of Denver (Colo.)
- Secretary-Treasurer: George E. Ross, president, Central Michigan University
In addition to Battles, newly elected directors include:
- Dianne F. Harrison, president, California State University, Northridge
- Sandra J. Jordan, chancellor, University of South Carolina Aiken
- Dennis J. Shields, chancellor, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
- Jack Thomas, president, Western Illinois University
- Charles L. Welch, II, president, Arkansas State University System
- Karen Whitney, president, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Those continuing their terms as members of AASCU’s board:
- Joseph Bertolino, president, Southern Connecticut State University
- Linda M. Bleicken, president, Armstrong State University (Ga.)
- Rita Cheng, president, Northern Arizona University
- Philip L. Dubois, chancellor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Dana G. Hoyt, president, Sam Houston State University (Texas)
- Emile (Mel) C. Netzhammer, III, chancellor, Washington State University Vancouver
- Scott Robert Olson, president, Winona State University (Minn.)
- Nasser H. Paydar, chancellor, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis