CELEBRATING
AASCU’s 65th Anniversary
Shaping our mission.
For 65 years, AASCU has proudly represented regional public colleges and universities committed to expanding access and opportunity, serving students, and strengthening communities.
We celebrate this milestone by highlighting AASCU’s history, the people and institutions that have shaped our association, and the impact we’ve made on public higher education.
Join us as we look back at where we’ve been, celebrate where we are today, and look ahead to what’s next.
1960s
1961
AASCU was founded as an evolution of the Association of Teacher Education Institutions to address the needs of the growing higher education sector.
1962
AASCU acquired its first offices and Walter E. Hager agreed to serve as part-time executive secretary.
1964
“Challenge to Change,” the first large study of AASCU member institutions, was conducted.
The board of directors met on Captiva Island, FL, and developed nine proposals that shaped AASCU’s projects and mission for decades.
Allan W. Ostar was selected as the first full-time executive director; the title was later changed to “president.”
1970s
1972
AASCU completed its first international mission, which took place in Mexico.
AASCU partnered with the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, now American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), to initiate Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges.
The first Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to President Lyndon B. Johnson, a graduate of Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University.
1975
AASCU was the first U.S. higher education association invited to the People’s Republic of China, leading to the establishment of the China Education Association for International Exchange in 1981.
1979
AASCU began its Spouse/Partner Program for spouses and partners of university presidents and chancellors.
1980s
1985
AASCU published “Minorities in Higher Education,” a study that was regularly quoted in the media and referenced by policymakers in the years that followed.
The Task Force on Economic Development was established to help AASCU institutions initiate involvement in economic development activities.
1986
AASCU established the National Commission on the Role and Future of State Colleges and Universities, chaired by former U.S. Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell. The commission also included then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton.
1987
The Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award was established.
1989
University system executives were granted full AASCU membership, giving them the right to vote and hold office in the association.
1990s
1990
AASCU established the New Presidents Academy.
1991
James B. Appleberry became president of AASCU.
1992
AASCU began a national retention project to assist states in improving academic success for undergraduate students.
1997
AASCU spearheaded the effort to save funding for Title XI, the Urban Community Service Grant Program.
1998
AASCU partnered with three other higher education associations to purchase the former Washington-Times Herald building as its headquarters.
1999
Constantine W. (Deno) Curris became AASCU’s president
AASCU announced the Office of Teacher Education.
AASCU launched the Millennium Leadership Initiative.
2000s
2000
AASCU created the Task Force on Public Engagement, which focused on the institutionalization of public engagement throughout universities.
The Sino-US CHEPD 1+2+1 program was launched as an association-wide exchange program with China.
2002
AASCU partnered with the China Education Association for International Exchange to establish the Leadership Training Project for university administrators.
2003
In partnership with The New York Times, AASCU began the American Democracy Project.
2004
AASCU launched the Making Place Matter pilot project, aimed at cultivating state colleges and universities as stewards of their regions.
2005
AASCU launched its magazine, Public Purpose, which published its last issue in 2019.
2007
Liberia turned to AASCU for help in rebuilding their higher education system.
2009
AASCU and the Council of Independent Colleges established the Executive Leadership Academy with support from the American Academic Leadership Initiative.
Muriel A. Howard became AASCU’s first female president, and the first African American to lead one of the six presidentially based higher education associations in Washington, D.C.
2010s
2010
AASCU began the Red Balloon Project, a national initiative to reimagine and redesign undergraduate education.
2011
AASCU released its “AASCU Presidents’ Perceptions Study: Future Outlook and Community Contributions.”
2013
AASCU launched the AASCU-Penson Center for Professional Development (now AASCU Consulting) to further support institutional leaders in managing the broad range of strategic and organizational challenges.
2015
AASCU launched its Emerging Leaders Program, expandingthe association’s commitment to preparing future leaders.
2016
AASCU launched “Opportunities for All,” a national marketing campaign to highlight the value, affordability, and economic mobility provided by regional public universities.
2017
AASCU’s Grants Resource Center celebrated 50 years of providing vital information and expertise on external funding to member colleges and universities.
2018
Mildred García became president of AASCU, the first Latina to lead one of the six presidentially based higher education associations in Washington, D.C.
2020s
2020
AASCU launched the Academy for New Provosts.
AASCU sold its building at 1307 New York Avenue NW, and moved to 1717 Rhode Island Avenue NW.
2021
The Aspen-AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive launched with AACC.
AASCU was one of six associations selected as Intermediaries for Scale by the Gates Foundation.
2022
The AASCU Telling Our Story website launched to elevate, support, and transform postsecondary institutions.
The Recommitting to Stewardship of Place series was published, providing an updated framework for stewardship in a new postsecondary landscape.
2023
The inaugural AASCU on the Hill was held to bring members together to advocate for regional public universities.
2024
Charles L. Welch became president of AASCU.
The Department Chair Leadership Institute was launched.
AASCU’s Millennium Leadership Initiative celebrated 25 years.
2026
AASCU partnered with Ithaka S+R to launch the Rural Student Success Network.
AASCU relocated its headquarters to 1350 Eye Street, NW.
