SU President Elected to AASCU Board for 2008

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach was today elected to serve on the 2008 board of directors for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

Selected with four other leaders from campuses across the United States, Dudley-Eshbach will help guide the nationally-recognized organization during the next three years as it continues its mission of fostering opportunities for all students to succeed in college, especially those traditionally underrepresented.

In addition, she will represent AASCU on the board of directors for the American Council on Education (ACE), the nation’s central coordinating body for all higher education institutions.

“The American Association of State Colleges and Universities provides leadership and direction for our nation on issues ranging from federal education policy matters to student financial aid and workforce needs,” Dudley-Eshbach said.  “I am honored to have been elected to serve on the board of directors.”

Representing more than 430 public colleges and universities nationwide, the AASCU and its current board of 16 members, are dedicated to analyzing public policy and to promoting appreciation and support for public higher education. The organization also provides professional development opportunities, as well as leadership and support to strengthen academic quality and educational innovation.  AASCU institutions “deliver America’s Promise” through education and engagement to improve the lives of students, the community, the region and the state.

The American Council on Education provides leadership and a unifying voice on key issues, and it influences public policy through advocacy, research and program initiatives.

Dudley-Eshbach was elected to AASCU along with Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University; George Pruitt, president or Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey; and Bruce Shepard, chancellor of University of Wisconsin in Green Bay.  Milton A. Gordon, president of California State University Fullerton will serve the remaining year of the term for Jolene Koester, president of California State University Northridge, who will chair the board in 2009.

Dudley-Eshbach and the other directors will work closely with Chair Carlos Hernández, president of New Jersey City University, who guides the board of directors for 2008.  Hernández is active in national education and Hispanic organizations including the Hispanic Presidents Affinity group and the Forum on Urban Education.

The eighth president of SU, Dudley-Eshbach is the first woman to hold the office. During her seven years of leadership, the University has grown considerably in size and reputation, earning recognition as a Maryland campus on the move.  Dudley-Eshbach has led SU in new directions through a series of initiatives, including expanding shared governance; increasing diversity among students, faculty and staff; improving town-gown relations; and enhancing campus growth with both the purchase of land and construction of new facilities.

A Latin American scholar who is fluent in Spanish, the President is a champion of international study for students, founding the Center for International Education to increase opportunities for study abroad in all academic disciplines.  Under her leadership, SU also became the first in the USM to institute a pilot study making the SAT optional for new students with a high school grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Prior to her appointment at SU, Dudley-Eshbach served as president of Fairmont State College in West Virginia and held faculty and administrative positions at three other colleges and universities. She earned her Ph.D. from El Colegio de Mexico in 1986.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.