Washington, DC – In an effort to respond to the challenges of
shifting economic realities and an ever-changing global atmosphere, the
American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
announced today the formation of the AASCU Commission on Presidential
Leadership and Global Competitiveness.
Composed of 12 AASCU presidents and chancellors, the Commission will
work to assess and project the impact of global economic, political and
technological changes on America’s public universities. The commission,
chaired by Bruce Shepard, former University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Chancellor and President-designate of Western Washington University,
will recommend to presidents and chancellors initiatives that will
strengthen the success of their institutions in insuring graduates are
globally competitive.
“Global competition affects our nation’s economic, political, social
and environmental landscape. And the reality is we are just beginning to
understand the significant challenge this presents for America,” said
Constantine W. Curris, president of AASCU.
Economic realities born of the free flow of capital and labor across
national borders, the pre-eminence of multinational corporations, and
the rapid expansion of international trade have created a new, and at
times difficult, environment for American business, labor and higher
education. Recurrent data suggest that at most educational levels, the
performance of American students no longer matches or exceeds other
advanced nations.
“The Commission’s objective is to answer the question ‘how should
public colleges and universities respond to global competitiveness to
ensure that both our students and our country can meet the challenges as
well as seize the opportunities presented by globalization,’” Curris
said.
The Commission’s members are President Susan C. Aldridge, University
of Maryland University College; President Donald Betz, Northeastern
State University (Okla.); President Robert A. Corrigan, San Francisco
State University (Calif.); President Helen Giles-Gee, Keene State
College (N.H.); Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., Troy University (Ala.);
President Robert W. Kustra, Boise State University (Idaho); President
Dorothy Leland, Georgia College & State University; President
Michael T. Nietzel, Missouri State University; President P. Kay Norton,
University of Northern Colorado; President Denise M. Trauth, Texas State
University-San Marcos; Chancellor Jorge Ivan Velez-Arocho, University
of Puerto Rico Mayaguez; and President Leslie E. Wong, Northern Michigan
University.
The Commission on Presidential Leadership and Global Competitiveness
will convene their first meeting at AASCU’s Summer Council of Presidents
on July 19.
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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.