The following is a statement from the Association of American Universities announcing that University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher will serve as chair of the AAU Board of Directors:
The Association of American Universities today elected University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher as chair of its board of directors. Gallagher succeeds Brown University President Christina H. Paxson, who had served as AAU’s board chair since October 2020. University of Southern California President Carol L. Folt was elected to serve as vice chair.
“America’s leading research institutions have a powerful role to play in moving our nation forward,” said Chancellor Gallagher. “AAU is uniquely positioned to support this progress – cultivating not just institutional excellence but entire communities of academic innovation that drive transformative change.”
As chair, Gallagher 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.
Gallagher has served as the chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh since August 1, 2014. He came to Pittsburgh after spending nearly two decades in public service. He was appointed by President Barack Obama as the director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2009 and as the acting deputy secretary of commerce in 2013. Gallagher has also served as the undersecretary of commerce for standards and technology. He was previously the vice chair of the AAU board.
“Chancellor Gallagher has a remarkable track record in public service and university leadership that will serve him exceptionally well as AAU chair,” said AAU President Barbara R. Snyder. “He has a keen understanding of the role research universities play in maintaining America’s global competitiveness and leadership in scientific and technological innovation. As the chancellor of a premier public institution, he also knows the valuable contributions research universities make to the health and the economies of their local communities and states.”
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Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 66 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.