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AAU Elects Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber as Next Chair

Christopher Eisgruber, President of Princeton University

The following is an announcement from the Association of American Universities, America’s leading research universities, regarding the election of Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber as chair of the AAU Board of Directors:

Last week, the member presidents and chancellors of the Association of American Universities elected Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber as chair of the AAU Board of Directors. Eisgruber succeeds University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones, who had served as AAU’s board chair since October 2023. University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod was elected to serve as vice chair.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve as board chair for the Association of American Universities,” said President Eisgruber. “America’s leading research universities are vital to our nation, and AAU plays an indispensable role in advocating on their behalf and helping them to work constructively together. I have tremendous respect for AAU’s leaders and its staff, and I look forward to working even more closely with the organization in the year ahead.”

As chair, Eisgruber will help guide AAU’s work and serve as a spokesperson for the association, particularly on federal policy issues affecting research universities. He will also represent AAU in discussions with lawmakers, help develop national policy positions, and play a significant role in determining the association’s agenda during the coming year.

Eisgruber, who previously served as vice chair of the AAU board, has been president of Princeton University since July 2013. Eisgruber joined the Princeton faculty in 2001 and was appointed as the university’s provost in 2004. He is a renowned constitutional scholar and has authored multiple books and articles about constitutional matters, including religious freedom. He taught at the New York University School of Law for 11 years, from 1990-2001. Eisgruber is a vocal advocate for the value of university research, free speech, and inclusivity in education.

“I have known President Eisgruber for more than a decade,” said AAU President Barbara R. Snyder. “He understands the connection between equity and excellence in higher education, and he fundamentally appreciates the value that AAU provides to our members as well as the value our members provide to the nation and the world. I look forward to working closely with him to ensure that America’s leading research universities continue to keep the United States first in scientific and technological innovation while working to solve some of our most pressing global challenges.”


Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 71 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation.

Our member universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research that improves public health, seeks to address national challenges, and contributes significantly to our economic strength, while educating and training tomorrow’s visionary leaders and innovators.

AAU member universities collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.

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