President Welty Becomes Chair of Association of State Colleges and Universities

California State University, Fresno President John D. Welty assumed the chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities at the organization’s annual meeting Nov. 22.

AASCU represents more than 400 public colleges, universities and systems of higher education throughout the United States and its territories. AASCU schools enroll more than 3 million students or 55 percent of the enrollment at all public four-year institutions.

Members of the AASCU work to extend higher education to all citizens. Access is a hallmark of AASCU institutions, colleges and universities that embrace students who traditionally have been underrepresented in higher education as well as those who are first generation college students.

As chair, Welty is responsible for leading the board of directors in setting policy, representing the organization and helping the AASCU president serve as a national advocate for public higher education.

“It is a great honor to be selected by your peers for this role,” said Welty. “It is important to me to give back to this organization, which has meant a great deal to me over the years.”

Welty said the major focus of AASCU in the coming year will be advocating for its public policy agenda with Congress and the Administration, with an emphasis on improving financial aid for students and the passage of the Higher Education Re-Authorization Act.

For more information contained in this release, please go to the following Web site: www.aascu.org