Two organizations committed to higher education and community stewardship signed a formal partnership agreement today at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in Charleston, S.C.

AASCU and the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) agreed to support each other’s mission through collaborative efforts that address overlapping interests.  This includes support for public policy initiatives pertaining to K-12 and postsecondary educational partnerships, teacher preparation programs, teacher recruitment strategies, workforce development, economic development, and urban revitalization and development.

Other areas of mutual interest include leadership development, organizational endorsement and conferences and meetings.

“AASCU is pleased to enter into a formal partnership with the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities.  While our organizations have worked together for many years, formalizing this partnership with this document solidifies our work moving forward,” said Muriel Howard, president of AASCU. 

CUMU is an international affiliate organization of universities in large metropolitan areas that share a common understanding of their institutional missions and values.

“CUMU and AASCU have worked together for 20 years to support public policy issues, regional stewardship and community engagement initiatives, and the sharing of best practices. The signing of this partnership agreement is the next step to provide broader and deeper opportunities for collaboration,” said John Christensen, president of CUMU and chancellor of the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

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AASCU is the leadership association of 420 public colleges and universities Delivering America’s Promise through their common commitments to access, affordability and educational opportunity. Enrolling more than 3 million students, these institutions fulfill the expectations of a public university by working for the public good through education, stewardship and engagement, thereby improving the lives of people in their community, their region and their state.