Updates from the President

I sat down earlier this fall with Educause Review , the flagship publication for IT professionals dedicated to advancing higher education, to share my thoughts on the role that technology, personalized learning and collaboration play in student success. At ASU, we dedicate significant time and energy to identifying innovative technologies and alliances that provide greater support and flexibility to students while also giving us useful insights about which tools/methods produce the most positive and efficient learning outcomes. We integrate these technologies into our learning platforms intent on evolving the most well-qualified, adaptable thinkers possible and working to deliver that quality experience at scale.

Our unique partnership with edX to create the Global Freshman Academy, a first-of-its-kind online program that gives learners from anywhere in the world the chance to take freshman level college courses for credit, demonstrates these concepts in action. Other examples include the ASU Center for Education Through Exploration, Starbucks College Achievement Plan, and me3 . More growth is around the corner, but we still have a lot of work ahead if we are to meet the needs of our increasingly complex and competitive society. 

I am always looking for new conduits for putting out the call to identify new systems and allies in this challenge. If you have ideas for how ASU can advance these efforts, I welcome them. In the interim, I invite you to read the interview below.

Word of ASU's commitment to access, excellence and innovation travels far and fast. Interest in our model for 21st century higher education is higher than ever, which in turn creates many fantastic opportunities to share our story and to explore new and ground-breaking education and research possibilities. Most recently, I trekked to Marrakesh and to Dubai to expand understanding about ASU and the trajectory we are on as a leader in global higher education.

I traveled to Morocco to participate in a series of conversations on climate change hosted by the Emerson Collective, an organization founded by Laurene Powell Jobs that is dedicated to promoting the fulfillment of human potential. There I joined Maria Zuber, vice president for research at MIT, and Dan Arvizu, chief technology officer and STEM evangelist for Emerson Collective, to discuss how university research and innovation are addressing greenhouse gas reduction targets globally. My remarks elaborated on ASU's Carbon Neutrality Action Plan , which is designed to eliminate greenhouse gases from ASU facility energy sources by 2025 and from all sources by 2035. 

I visited Dubai to give the first keynote in the Al Ghurair Foundation for Education's Speaker Series. The Foundation is dedicated to aiding underserved, talented youth in the United Arab Emirates to gain access to quality education. My presentation focused on the challenges involved in advancing global college attainment at scale and how ASU is an emerging leader in reimagining what real world solutions might look like.

My time in Dubai also included a great visit with H.E. Humaid Al Qatami, chairman of the board of the Dubai Health Authority, and a talk on medical innovation at Dubai Future Accelerators. I look forward to sharing more news related to these trips in the days ahead.

Another approach that has proved helpful over the years in developing greater understanding and communication about the complex issues currently facing U.S. higher education has been our annual Media Dinner in New York City.

This ASU event brings together a group of college and university presidents and a group of national higher education journalists in an informal setting to discuss critical topics and trends in higher education. It also provides an important opportunity to share meaningful insights and to exchange perspectives and ideas on the future of American education. The result is always a dynamic and candid dialogue that touches on vital issues including college cost, financial aid, degree value, U.S competitiveness, and leadership. 

This year's gathering was held on November 30 and was again a frank and factual talk aimed at cutting through common misperceptions and delving into the most pressing themes for the year ahead.

Higher education is a complex and ever-changing landscape that has a major impact on the lives of many. ASU recognizes its responsibility to help the public at-large better understand how universities work, how they contribute to society, and why we need broad input and engagement. Hosting conversations like this is one way we as an institution can foster greater clarity and collaboration.

The highest honor awarded by ASU to a faculty member is the designation of "Regent's Professor", a recognition reserved for scholars who have made pioneering, enduring and world-renowned contributions to their field of study. Faculty members who demonstrate unique innovation in their teaching, mastery of a subject and significant scholarly contributions may earn the notable designation of "President's Professor ", which was established in 2006. Over the years, 105 Regents' Professors and 29 President's Professors have represented the best of ASU's world-class faculty and shared an incredible amount of expertise. 

Every year, I join the University Provost in hosting a meal and conversation with this distinguished group, which includes Nobel Laureates, Fulbright Scholars, and MacArthur Fellows, in addition to many other prestigious affiliations. Two of its most recent additions are Regents' Professor Anne Stone , a pioneering anthropological geneticist in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, whose work has reframed our thinking on forensic science, infectious diseases and human evolutionary history, and President's Professor Mark Henderson, associate dean of Barrett, the Honors College and co-founder of GlobalResolve, a social entrepreneurship program where students tackle water, agriculture, sanitation and health challenges to help mitigate the impact of poverty in the developing countries.

These exchanges provide valuable perspective on where our university has been, and what needs consideration as we advance our trajectory as a leader in 21st century education. If you aren't already familiar with these exemplary scholars, I encourage you to take time to learn more about them and the gifts they bring to our university community.