Washington, D.C. — Muriel A. Howard, president of Buffalo State
College, State University of New York (SUNY), has been appointed
president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
(AASCU). The announcement was made today by Jolene Koester, president
of California State University Northridge and chair of the AASCU Board
of Directors. “This was an extremely competitive search that garnered
exceptionally well-qualified individuals seeking the AASCU presidency,”
said Koester
“Muriel
Howard’s selection reflects her effective leadership and strong
commitment as president of an AASCU institution. We believe that she is
uniquely positioned to lead AASCU as public higher education confronts
some of its most daunting challenges of the past 25 years.”
Howard will be the first African–American to lead one of the six
presidentially based higher education associations in Washington D.C.
“I am excited about joining AASCU, and for the opportunity to engage
with my colleagues across the nation in this new role,” said Howard.
“Here at Buffalo State, we have long benefited from our association with
AASCU. In fact, I have spent my entire career advocating for the needs
of students at state colleges and universities, and look forward to
working to continue the important work of this esteemed organization.”
Howard has been president of Buffalo State College, SUNY, since 1996.
Prior to that time Howard spent almost 15 years in administration at
the University at Buffalo, SUNY, including four years as vice president
for public service and urban affairs from 1992-1996.
As president of Buffalo State College she leads a campus of more than
11,000 students, approximately 1,700 faculty and staff, and a financial
operation of more than $214 million.
Howard has extensive service on numerous national, state and
community professional boards including Air University, Board of
Visitors; Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities; National
Advisory Board of the National Survey of Student Engagement; National
Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Presidents’ Council; State
University of New York, University Council of Presidents; Board of
Directors, Center for Russia and the United States; H.H. Richardson
Center Corporation Commission; Western New York Consortium of Higher
Education; Niagara University Board of Trustees; United Way of Buffalo
and Erie County; King Center Charter School.
Her volunteer involvement with AASCU includes serving as chair of the
board of directors, 2006-2007; and committee and commission memberships
that include Voluntary System of Accountability Presidential Advisory
Committee; Millennium Leadership Initiative; Commission on Public
University Renewal; and Alliance for Regional Stewardship. Howard also
served as a faculty member for AASCU’s New Presidents’ Academy.
Howard holds a Bachelor of Arts from Richmond College, CUNY, and a
Master of Education and a Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo, SUNY.
Howard will assume the AASCU presidency around August 1. She will
succeed Constantine W. (Deno) Curris, who has been president of AASCU
since 1999.
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AASCU is the leadership association of 430 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.