The 2025 APLU Annual Meeting, held November 9–11 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, brought together senior public university leaders for three days of substantive discussions, collaborative workshops, and strategic networking focused on advancing the education, research, and engagement mission of public and land-grant universities.
The meeting convened leaders at a pivotal moment for public higher education, as universities navigate unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Attendees shared innovative strategies, explored new collaborations, and reinforced higher education’s vital role in serving the public good.
With nearly 100 sessions across the three days, the Annual Meeting offered a robust and wide-ranging program that delivered practical insights and inspired leadership across the sector. Session topics included:
- Reaffirming and demonstrating the public value of a college education
- Advancing public impact research to meet state and national needs
- Addressing enrollment shifts through innovative strategies
- Aligning academic programs with future workforce needs
- Navigating the rapidly changing state and federal policy landscape
- Expanding global engagement amid evolving student visa policies
- Strengthening cybersecurity to safeguard research and institutional operations
- Modernizing infrastructure to support long-term growth and innovation
The 2025 meeting also marked an important milestone as APLU welcomed President Waded Cruzado to her first Annual Meeting in this role. Under her leadership, APLU is poised to further elevate the voice and impact of public research universities in addressing the critical challenges facing our communities, nation, and world.
APLU Institutional Awards
APLU Honors Brit Kirwan with the Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award
APLU this week honored Dr. Brit Kirwan with the 2025 Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award at the APLU Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. The award recognizes an individual whose career has also been dedicated to the service and leadership of public and land-grant universities.
APLU Names Winners of 2025 Innovation & Economic Prosperity Awards
Philadelphia, PA – The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today named the winners of its 13th annual Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) Awards. The awards recognize innovative projects or programs in economic engagement. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville won the IEP Economic Engagement Connections Award, the top-prize in the awards competition, recognizing overall excellence and leveraging across all three award categories.
APLU Names Oregon State University 2025 Magrath Community Engagement Scholarship Award Winner
Philadelphia, PA – In recognition of extraordinary community outreach and engagement, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today named Oregon State University (OSU) the winner of the 2025 C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Scholarship Award during a ceremony at the group’s annual meeting in Philadelphia.
APLU Names The University of Texas at San Antonio 2025 Excellence in Student Success Award Winner
Philadelphia, PA – The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today named The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) as the winner of its inaugural 2025 Excellence in Student Success Award. The annual award recognizes institutions demonstrating a comprehensive, systemic commitment to advancing student success.
APLU Honors Virginia Tech with 2025 International Impact Award
Philadelphia, PA – In recognition of extraordinary global teaching, learning, and engagement efforts, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today named Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as the winner of its 2025 International Impact Award.
APLU Honors Kennesaw State University for Public Impact Research Efforts
Philadelphia, PA – The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today named Kennesaw State University the winner of its 2025 Public Impact Research Award for its work to support the behavioral health of service members and first responders. “We are thrilled to highlight Kennesaw State’s efforts to promote the mental and behavioral health of…
APLU Honors Brit Kirwan with the Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award
APLU honored Dr. Brit Kirwan with the 2025 Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award at the APLU Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. The award recognizes an individual whose career has also been dedicated to the service and leadership of public and land-grant universities.
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