The American Association of State Colleges and Universities board of directors has selected Chuck Welch, president of the Arkansas State University System, as its chair-elect.
Welch will become chair of the national organization in 2020. He was elected to the AASCU board of directors in November 2016. Welch will succeed F. Javier Cevallos, president of Framingham State University of Massachusetts, who will serve as chair in 2019.
Based in Washington, D.C., AASCU is an association of more than 400 public colleges, universities and systems.
"I'm honored to serve this outstanding organization," Welch said in a news release. "I look forward to working with my fellow presidents and chancellors as we advance higher education. I've been an active member of this professional association during my seven years with ASU and previously while at Henderson State. Our members benefit from discussing common opportunities and challenges, and we serve as an important national voice for higher education."
Welch became president of the ASU System in April 2011. He is chairman of the board of the Arkansas Association of Public Universities and co-chair of the executive council of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
The ASU System serves about 23,000 students throughout Arkansas and includes Arkansas State University of Jonesboro and ASU-Beebe, a two-year institution with additional operations in Heber Springs, Searcy and Jacksonville at the Little Rock Air Force Base.
