Montana State University President Waded Cruzado was elected chair of the board of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
The APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. With a membership of 246 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, the APLU’s agenda is built on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement.
Annually, member campuses enroll 5 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.3 million degrees, employ 1.3 million faculty and staff, and conduct $49.3 billion in university-based research.
The board of directors provides oversight and direction for the association’s work and is charged with setting membership and governing policies for the association. Board members aim to make public institutions of higher education more effective in delivering quality and affordable higher education while advancing cutting-edge research and robust community and economic engagement.
Dr. Cruzado has been president of Montana State since January 2010. Prior to coming to Montana State, Dr. Cruzado served as executive vice president and provost at New Mexico State University. She served as NMSU’s interim president from 2008-2009. She also served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at NMSU from 2003 to 2007.
President Cruzado is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington.