Sam Houston State University President Alisa White Elected Chair of the Board of Directors

Contact:
Kellee Edmonds
(202) 478-4662
[email protected]

PUERTO RICO, November 19, 2024 - Alisa White, president of Sam Houston State University (TX), has been elected chair of the Board of Directors at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). White assumed the chair during the association's annual conference, which is concluding today in Puerto Rico. Ora H. Pescovitz, president of Oakland University (MI), was named chair-elect.

The AASCU membership also elected five new members to the Board of Directors:

• Kelli R. Brown, chancellor, Western Carolina University (NC)
• Alberto J.F. Cardelle, president, State University of New York at Oneonta
• Bennie L. Harris, chancellor, University of South Carolina Upstate
• Jann L. Joseph, president, Georgia Gwinnett College
• Maenette K. P. Ah Nee-Benham, chancellor, University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu

Throughout her impressive career, White has been a strong advocate for underrepresented students. As a result of her deep commitment to creating equitable experiences, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) has been nationally recognized for its student success initiatives, including participation in AASCU's Student Success Equity Intensive.

Since taking the helm at SHSU in 2020, White secured a $32 million state investment from the Texas legislature for the university's College of Osteopathic Medicine and $23 million in pledges and gifts in FY23.

Before joining Sam Houston State University, White served as president of Austin Peay State University (TN) and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas at Tyler and Midwestern State University (TX).

White earned a bachelor's degree in business from Lee College (now Lee University) in Cleveland, TN, and a master's degree in library and information science and a doctorate in mass communication from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

"I am excited to partner with AASCU President and CEO Charles Welch, the AASCU Board of Directors, and higher education leaders of regional public universities to represent a sector of more than 500 state colleges, universities and systems on issues that shape public policy and ensure affordable, high-quality educational opportunities for all students," White said.

"Alisa White has devoted her career to ensuring that all students obtain access to the equitable opportunities they need to thrive," said Charles L. Welch, AASCU's president and CEO. "We are confident she will bring her dedication and commitment to the role of AASCU board chair and use the national stage to advocate for the needs of the more than 3 million students AASCU members serve."

Ora H. Pescovitz is a celebrated pediatric endocrinologist and researcher who has written more than 190 papers and books. As president of Oakland University (OU), she has combined her history of leadership, executive planning, board governance, and leadership team development experience to boost the school's academic success, scholarship, and community engagement. In addition, Pescovitz has fostered timely and practical research, and transformative community partnerships that have had a profound impact on students.

During her tenure, Pescovitz has made diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability a priority. As a result, OU is recognized as one of the most inclusive and welcoming schools in the country. Also, she's ensured that the school is affordable for the diverse social and economic communities in the area, which resulted in OU being ranked "best value for investment" by The Wall Street Journal.

Pescovitz worked as the executive vice president for medical affairs at the University of Michigan and the executive associate dean for research affairs at Indiana University. She earned her medical and bachelor's degrees from Northwestern University (IL).

The following presidents will continue their terms as members of AASCU's board:

Past Chair:

• Ronald S. Rochon, president, California State University, Fullerton

Treasurer:

• Andy Feinstein, president, University of Northern Colorado

Other returning AASCU board officers are:

• Erika D. Beck, president, California State University, Northridge
• Houston D. Davis, president, University of Central Arkansas
• Brendan Kelly, president, Arkansas State University System
• Nora R. Miller, president, Mississippi University for Women
• Mark A. Nook, president, University of Northern Iowa
• DeRionne Pollard, president, Nevada State University
• Carlos Vargas, president, Southeast Missouri State University
• Daniel A. Wubah, president, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underrepresented student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions' economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America's promise.

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