My First Day as APLU President

A Letter to the APLU Community from President Waded Cruzado

Dear APLU Members & Friends,

As I embark on a new chapter today as APLU President, I write to you with extraordinary gratitude and excitement along with a clear-eyed focus on serving this vibrant community of public research university leaders. This is a critical time for higher education and I am determined to ensure APLU continues to be the go-to organization for public university leaders – providing you with the support, expertise, and community to help our member institutions successfully meet the moment together.

I am the product of a public research university education and the first person in my family to earn a college degree. I have devoted my life to what I believe is one of the most important ideas in American history: that educational opportunity for all will build a greater nation. Always. I am thrilled to now have this opportunity to help advance the impact of all public and land-grant universities across North America.

The promise of public higher education endures as brightly today as it did 163 years ago tomorrow, July 2, 1862, when President Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law, ensuring a public university in each state and territory of a still very young nation. The Morrill Act sparked a new era of public higher education, opening the doors of public universities to millions more students across the country. The designation of the 1890 and 1994 land-grant institutions expanded that promise further to those who were excluded. Today, we are fortunate to have a large and vibrant network of public research universities – land-grant and non-land grant alike – that are changing millions of lives each year. They are true national treasures based on one premise and one promise: that these universities would educate the children of the working families of America.

In addition to our commitment to access and education, the research and engagement carried out on each APLU member campus holds the promise to unlock a healthier, more prosperous, and secure future for everyone. APLU will always be the leading advocate for public research universities across North America and the essential work they do on behalf of the American, Canadian, and Mexican people.

In recent months, the higher education community has faced unique challenges in our longstanding partnership with the federal government and skepticism within some segments of the public. I firmly believe it is our responsibility to step forward and strongly engage on the fundamental role of our institutions to the nation and the world. We must listen to the views and perspectives of everyone, especially those with whom we may initially disagree, find common ground where we can, and ultimately relentlessly defend the vitally important role and interests of public and land-grant universities. It is not only our responsibility; it is our only choice.

I look forward to working with you to best position public research universities for success on the challenges and opportunities to come. I have been part of the APLU community for many years, including serving as Chair of the Board of Directors. I love this organization. I want to thank Mark Becker for deftly leading APLU for the last three years, helping the membership navigate a quickly shifting landscape. I’d like to also thank APLU President Emeritus Peter McPherson for his many years of service; like many of you, I consider Peter my friend and my mentor.

Every senior leader at APLU member institutions should know that we are honored to have you engaged in this association. As we begin to work together, I want to hear from you. I encourage you to reach out and let me know how APLU can best serve you and your institution.

The work we face is no doubt significant; yet much more daunting still were the odds facing the visionaries who dreamed of widely available public higher education over a century and a half ago. The impact of their effort has echoed for generations. The challenge before us is not only to preserve their legacy, but to expand it – advancing education, research, and engagement in the people’s interest.

I am elated to have the chance to join with you in this vital endeavor: let’s get to work!

Sincerely,
Waded Cruzado