American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)

AASCU President and CEO Chuck Welch addressed higher education leaders in Washington, D.C., today at the Strada Education Foundation’s 2025 State Opportunity Index event. Welch spoke about how regional public universities are preparing students for careers that drive regional economic growth and their vital roles as anchors of their communities. Learn more about the State Opportunity Index: tinyurl.com/mujmbsnu While there, he connected with AASCU members Aminta Breaux, president of Bowie State University, and Felix Matos Rodriguez, chancellor of The City University of New York, as well as Ruth Watkins, president, postsecondary education of Strada Education Foundation. AASCU is proud to join partners across higher education and industry in shaping pathways that expand opportunity for all learners. #HigherEd #StudentSuccess

Fall into AASCU’s exciting lineup of upcoming events and important deadlines for campus leaders. This season offers valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and engage. Explore upcoming events, deadlines, and save-the-dates here: tinyurl.com/bdwksw2a Upcoming events: GRC Joint Associations Group (JAG) Update on Indirect Costs, Oct. 28 AASCU 2025 Annual Conference for Presidents and Chancellors, Nov. 14–17 NEW! 2025 International Education Week: Global Learning as a Pathway to Civic Education Webinar, Nov. 20 Washington Policy Update (webinar), Dec. 3 Deadlines to note: From Campus to Career—letters of interest due Oct. 24 American Short-Term Study in China Initiative—applications due Oct. 31 #HigherEd #Leadership #StudentSuccess

Congratulations to Alabama State University (ASU), an AASCU member institution, on a powerful new partnership with VALIANT CROSS ACADEMY (VCA) to launch the VCA Elementary School at ASU’s Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center! “This university/elementary school partnership can increase the educational experiences for students and provide a foundation for college readiness to students at an early age,” said ASU President Quinton T Ross Jr. ASU and VCA leaders have also pledged to expand opportunities for Valiant Cross graduates through scholarships, internships, and career-readiness initiatives. Read more: tinyurl.com/34unestz #HigherEd #AASCUMemberSpotlight

It's always great seeing an AASCU member president drop by our office! On Tuesday, we were pleased to be visited by Lynn Mahoney, president of San Francisco State University! Mahoney is a member of the Council of State Representatives, which plays a vital role in advising AASCU’s Division of Government Relations and Policy Analysis on higher education public policy issues and helps shape our annual Public Policy Agenda. Learn more about the Council of State Representatives: tinyurl.com/2dsf4adm #HigherEd #Policy

As we close #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re proud to celebrate AASCU members recognized with the 2025 #ExcelenciaSeal by Excelencia in Education! This year, several AASCU institutions were honored: Newly certified: Cal Poly Humboldt (CA) Rutgers University–Newark (NJ) San José State University (CA) Recertified: University at Albany (NY) The University of Texas at Arlington (TX) And three institutions earned the Intentionally Thriving Institution designation: California State University Channel Islands (CA) Florida International University (FL) Grand Valley State University (MI) Read more: tinyurl.com/4t7m7nph Join us in celebrating their excellence and their ongoing commitment to advancing student success and opportunity. #HigherEd #HHM #StudentSuccess

This morning at Ad Astra’s #ASPIRE25 conference, AASCU’s Lisa Hunter, associate vice president for academic innovation and transformation, joined higher education leaders to celebrate the announcement of the new Student-Centered Course Scheduling cohort. We’re proud to see AASCU members Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and Western Kentucky University among the institutions selected for this transformative work. Together, we’re reimagining how course scheduling can better support every student’s path to success. #HigherEd #StudentSuccess

AASCU has launched Student-Centered Course Scheduling, a new national initiative to help regional public universities remove a key barrier to student success: the course schedule. Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/gX_69jvg Supported by a $2.4 million grant from Ascendium Education Group, the project will help 20 regional public universities use data-driven strategies to align course offerings with student demand and keep students on track to graduate on time. Working with Ad Astra, campuses will receive technical assistance to identify bottlenecks, reduce scheduling conflicts, and align course offerings with student demand. “We believe that course scheduling is central in many ways. It is central to students’ progress toward on-time degree completion and central to delivering the academic mission of the institution. But it is the most overlooked of factors in student success,” said Terry Brown, vice president for academic innovation and transformation at AASCU. #HigherEd #StudentSuccess

“A car loses value the moment you drive it off the lot. A college degree gains value every day after. I’m living proof,” writes AASCU President and CEO Chuck Welch in his new Forbes op-ed, where he shares his personal story and perspective on the lifelong value of higher education. Read the full piece here: tinyurl.com/3x795knb #HigherEd #StudentSuccess

Today’s the final day to submit proposals for Campus Compact's Annual Conference (Compact26) where AASCU’s American Democracy Project will convene at the same venue in Chicago, March 15–16. Learn more and submit here: tinyurl.com/47myw5rt Join colleagues from across the country to strengthen civic learning, foster dialogue across differences, and explore how higher education can help build a stronger democracy. #HigherEd #CivicEngagement