The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities today announced its 2022 Board of Directors. At a ceremony during the association’s 134th Annual Meeting, University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank became Chair of the Board, succeeding Montana State University President Waded Cruzado. University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval was selected to be on the 2022 Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors provides oversight and direction for APLU’s work and is charged with setting membership and governing policies for the association. Board members work to make public institutions of higher education more effective in driving equitable student success, fostering research and innovation to meet societal needs, and building prosperous, equitable and vibrant communities locally and globally.

"It's an honor to be selected to the 2022 Board of Directors," Sandoval said. "I look forward to serving on the board to assist the APLU."

Chancellor Blank will serve as Chair of the APLU Board of Directors until the end of May 2022, when she will depart the University of Wisconsin-Madison to assume the presidency of Northwestern University later in 2022. University of California, Davis Chancellor Gary May, currently the Chair-Elect of the Board, will assume the role of Chair of the Board upon Chancellor Blank’s retirement.

“After nine years as chancellor of a public institution, I’m deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead this organization,” Blank said. “During my time at Wisconsin, I’m proud of our work on access and affordability, applying our research to benefit the public and serving students and improving their outcomes, which mirror APLU’s goals. I look forward to collaborating with the board and all APLU members.”

“We thank Waded Cruzado for her outstanding service as chair of the Board and her strong commitment to public higher education,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “We’re thrilled Becky Blank has been selected as the next chair of the APLU Board of Directors. She is an extraordinary public university leader with a deep commitment to advancing the work of public universities to promote the public good. The Board of Directors plays an instrumental role in shaping APLU’s work to advance the education, research, and engagement missions of public higher education. We’re excited to have Becky Blank’s leadership as Chair.”