Strategic Plan: Governing IdeasAASCU’s distinction resides in the following work on behalf of its members: * ensuring a primary focus on and support for the president or chancellor, with complementary programs and services for the presidential leadership team and for women and racial/ethnic minorities who aspire to leadership roles; * advocating for a student-focused federal public policy agenda and demonstrating a unique capacity in state policy information and analysis; * strengthening the role of state colleges and universities as “Stewards of Place” through support of their teaching-learning, research and service missions; * sustaining a cohesive network of presidents and chancellors as an important component of an effective, member-driven association.AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIESAASCU_ab8d1c70-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7eAASCU is a Washington-based higher education association of nearly 420 public colleges, universities and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development.Muriel A. HowardPresidentKaren Bock-LoseeExecutive Secretary to the PresidentGladys Styles JohnstonDirector of MLI and Assistant to the PresidentGeorge L. MehaffyVice President for Academic Leadership and ChangeCeleste E. ReganVice President for Administration and FinanceSusan M. ChilcottVice President for CommunicationsEdward ElmendorfSenior Vice President for Government Relations and Policy AnalysisDorcas L. Colvin Vice President Leadership Development and Membership ServicesRichard (Rich) DunfeeDirector, Grants Resource CenterRosemary LauthDirector of MeetingsAASCU will be a transformative influence in American public higher education through advocacy, leadership and service._ab8d22d8-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7eTo share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations and a dedication to research and creativity that advances economic progress and cultural development._ab8d23aa-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7eAccessAccess and Inclusion - Advocating for accessible, affordable, quality public higher education and supporting members’ historic mission of serving students who are non-traditional and represent diverse backgrounds.InclusionStudent-FocusStudent-Focused - Committing to programs and policies that help our members place students at the heart of their institution.InnovationFostering innovative strategies that help members think deeply and creatively about the nature of their work and that encourage institutional achievement.ServiceBeing responsive to our member institutions and the diverse students and communities they serve.LeadershipSupporting institutional leaders and providing professional development that encourages exemplary practices and innovative management.AccountabilityFostering responsible and accountable stewardship of public higher education’s public trust.PromotionTo promote understanding, appreciation and support for the public purpose of public higher education and the distinctive contributions of those institutions that comprise the AASCU membership_ab8d242c-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7e1_ab8d24c2-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7eSupportTo support member institutions in their mission to prepare students who can be demonstrably competitive and effective in an economy and a society that requires global literacy_ab8d253a-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7e2_ab8d25b2-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7eAdvocacyTo advocate for effective public policy at the federal level and to provide both federal and state policy analysis to advance member institutions and the students they serve_ab8d2620-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7e3_ab8d26a2-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7eLeadershipTo provide leadership for effective policy development and program support that will strengthen academic quality, promote access and inclusion, foster regional stewardship and economic progress, and facilitate educational innovation_ab8d271a-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7e4_ab8d2792-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7eProfessional DevelopmentTo create professional development opportunities for member presidents and their spouses and partners, system executives and other senior leaders and to undertake a systematic approach to fostering new leaders who will contribute to educational innovation_ab8d2814-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7e5_ab8d288c-6109-11e2-b128-462c1c960c7e2013-01-17http://www.aascu.org/strategic-plan/governing-ideas/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net