APLU Urges Senate Confirmation of Michael Kratsios as Associate Director of OSTP and U.S. Chief Technology Officer

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today sent the following letter to the chair and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation endorsing the nomination of Michael Kratsios as Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the U.S. Chief Technology Officer. McPherson encouraged the committee to advance Kratsios’s nomination and for the full Senate to confirm him. The committee is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Kratsios tomorrow.

The full text of McPherson’s letter urging the confirmation of Kratsios follows:

July 23, 2019

The Honorable Roger Wicker
Chairman
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Maria Cantwell
Ranking Member
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Cantwell,

As president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), I am pleased to express my support for President Trump’s nomination of Michael Kratsios as Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the U.S. Chief Technology Officer. I urge the Senate Commerce Committee and U.S. Senate to advance the nominee.

APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With a membership of 239 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, APLU’s agenda is built on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement. Annually, its 197 U.S. member campuses enroll 4.1 million undergraduates and 1.2 million graduate students, award 1.1 million degrees, employ 1.1 million faculty and staff, and conduct $42.4 billion in university-based research.

In his current role as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Kratsios has led important national strategic planning in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. Continued U.S. leadership in these areas is critical to both our economic growth and national security. APLU appreciates Mr. Kratsios’ recognition that our nation’s public universities are essential partners in these areas. Our nation’s global competitiveness and innovation leadership depend on a strong partnership between the federal government and research universities.

Mr. Kratsios’ continued service and collaboration with White House Office of Science Technology Policy Director Kelvin K. Droegemeier will ensure strong science and technology advice is available to the Office of the President. I urge the Commerce Committee and U.S. Senate to confirm Mr. Kratsios as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
M. Peter McPherson