University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN President Named Chair-Elect of National Higher Education Advocacy Group

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Nov. 26, 2007) — Cal State Northridge President Jolene Koester was named chair-elect of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) at the association’s annual meeting in San Francisco last week.

AASCU, one of higher education’s most prestigious advocacy organizations, represents more than 430 public colleges, universities and higher education systems in the United States and its territories.

Koester, who has sat on AASCU’s Board of Directors since 2004, was elected "chair-elect" by the full board. She is expected to assume the role of chair in fall 2008. The association’s new chair for the coming year is Carlos Hernández, president of New Jersey City University.

"It is a great honor to be chosen as the chair-elect of AASCU," Koester said. "I consider it a privilege to serve an organization that works so hard to extend higher education to all citizens, and supports students traditionally underrepresented in higher education as well as those who are first-generation college students. I look forward to serving as chair-elect and improving the public good through education and engagement."

Koester joined AASCU’s Board of Directors for a one-year term in 2004. The board elected to extend her term to 2008 the following year.

As chair-elect, Koester will help lead the association as it fulfills its stated goals:

• To promote appreciation and support for public higher education and the contributions of the association’s member colleges and universities;
• To analyze public policy and advocate for member institutions;
• To provide policy leadership and program support for academic quality, access and inclusion, and educational innovation; and
• To create professional development opportunities for institutional leaders.

AASCU schools enroll more than three million students or 55 percent of the enrollment at all public four-year institutions.

California State University, Northridge has 35,200 full- and part-time students and offers 62 bachelor’s and 50 master’s degrees as well as 28 teaching credential programs. Founded in 1958, CSUN is among the largest single-campus universities in the nation and the only four-year public university in the San Fernando Valley. The university serves as the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Valley and beyond.