Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

Wishing everyone in the public university community happy holidays and a happy new year from all of us at APLU!

We are pleased to announce that effective September 1, 2022, Mark P. Becker will serve as APLU’s next president. Becker, a lifelong champion of equity and a national leader in student success, most recently served as president of Georgia State University.

“It’s an extraordinary honor to be named the next president of APLU,” Becker said. “Public and land-grant universities are the bedrock of American higher education, promoting student success and driving a highly skilled workforce while addressing the needs of their communities and our world through community engagement and cutting-edge research.”

“I am a product and a citizen of public higher education, and I have spent my career working tirelessly to use my seat at the table of higher education leaders to create a brighter and better future for society through the vehicle that is public higher education,” Becker continued. “As public universities look to further advance equity and student success, I’m excited to draw on my experiences to convene, support and lead public and land-grant universities as they look to further advance equity and student success, strengthen their research activities, and become more deeply engaged in their communities. APLU plays an indispensable role in giving voice to the immense contributions public research universities make to society and advocating on their behalf in Washington. I am excited to provide leadership for this vibrant community of diverse public and land-grant universities.”

Becker comes to APLU with a deep knowledge & appreciation of the association, having previously served on its Board of Directors and as the Chair of the Board of The Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU). Dr. Becker has been affiliated with APLU institutions for his entire adult life as a student, post-doctoral fellow, professor, dean, professor, dean, provost, or president. He comes to APLU with a strong understanding & appreciation of the different types of universities that comprise its membership, having served in faculty and leadership roles at flagships, land-grants, and urban serving institutions.

A proven leader in higher education & university transformation, Becker turned Georgia State University into a national model for driving equitable student success while growing its sponsored research at more than twice the national rate.

https://www.aplu.org/news-and-media/News/aplu-names-mark-becker-as-its-next-president

The challenges public universities have confronted & overcome this past year are truly extraordinary. Through its robust government affairs and advocacy work, programmatic activities, and an unprecedented number of virtual convenings, APLU worked with universities to drive equitable student success; foster research and innovation to meet societal needs, and deepen community, economic, and international engagement to benefit all. APLU's 2021 Annual Report how we continue to work with our members to meet the most pressing needs of the public university community. Read the report: https://www.aplu.org/news-and-media/annual-report/

As we remember the day that marked a grave assault on our democracy and honor those who fought to defend the Capitol, public universities must continue their work to be pillars of free inquiry and educate graduates who strengthen our democracy.

APLU Statement on One-Year Anniversary of January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C. — Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol.

Happy New Year from everyone at APLU!

After more than 16 years at its helm, APLU President Peter McPherson today announced his plans to retire in September 2022. Under his leadership, APLU has achieved monumental growth to help public universities better serve their students, communities, states, nation, & the world. Under his leadership, APLU has grown to 244 members across North America, including public research universities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, nine in Canada, and five in Mexico.

“It has been an extraordinary honor to lead APLU for all these years and I am grateful for all of the experiences and accomplishments we’ve achieved together as a public university community,” McPherson said. "I’ve deeply valued the opportunity to collaborate closely with APLU staff, the leaders of APLU member institutions, and the APLU Board of Directors to equitably advance and strengthen the work of public research universities."

“I believe deeply in expanding degree completion and closing equity gaps. Our nation must continue to significantly broaden participation in science and increase the scale and impact of academic research. These are fundamental to the betterment of human health, society, and U.S. competitiveness. Public universities have a long history of solving key problems in our communities, states, country, and the world, and I know the best is yet to come. These goals matter very much to the APLU staff and members just as they matter deeply to me.”

McPherson's accomplishments during his tenure at APLU include expanding its federal advocacy work; developing a vast grant-funded portfolio across APLU offices; a permanent partnership with the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities; the launch of key APLU projects such as Powered by Publics & the Aspire Alliance; and much more.

Read the full release here: https://www.aplu.org/news-and-media/News/aplu-president-peter-mcpherson-announces-plans-to-retire

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, join the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities on Monday, October 4 from 2:00-3:00pm EDT for a special virtual event celebrating the critical role public four-year Hispanic Serving Institutions play in educating and serving the Latino community. Register now for this free event!

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/6016324062565/WN_4td1JUZfRg2clq2Y7grwIg

Registration for APLU’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting is now live! This year’s theme is “The New Now: The Promise of Higher Education in a Rapidly Changing World” and will take place online on November 15-17.

While the world is rapidly changing, the APLU Annual Meeting is still here to provide higher education leaders with the unique experience to strengthen our community with opportunities to share best practices and strategies and make lasting connections with colleagues from across North America.

Join us on our online format for several keynotes, interactive and engaging concurrent sessions, and time to virtually network with colleagues. We can’t wait to see you. Register today! https://bit.ly/APLUAnnualMeeting