AASCU 2023 Annual Conference
Engage with colleagues and experts in exploring how to lead for democracy.
2023 Academic Affairs Summer Meeting
Celebrate and advance the work accomplished at regional comprehensive institutions.
Student Success Equity Intensive Information Sessions
Learn about how the initiative can help your institution achieve your student success goals.
AASCU Washington Policy Update – March 2023
Join AASCU’s government relations staff to hear everything that has happened as a result of the mid-term elections last November 2022.
2023 Grants Resource Center Virtual Funding Summit
Get the latest on funding opportunities and policy updates that can benefit your campus.
Symposium for Provosts: Higher Education, Technology, and Digital Equity
Learn about the intersection of tech and higher ed with speakers from Apple and university partners.
Meeting the Urgent Needs of Today’s Student: How to Modernize Your Student Success Strategy
Engage in a deep dive into the latest research on the modern student experience.
AASCU Spouse/Partner Program
The Spouse/Partner Program recognizes the important role of presidential spouses/partners and provides leadership development, networking, and skill-building opportunities to those serving in these critical positions.
Learn more.
Leadership through a different lens.
The role and expectations of a presidential spouse or partner may vary by region, institution, and personal preference. But some factors are common, such as your desire to support your spouse or partner. The Spouse/Program is designed to inform and foster an understanding of what you’ll need to thrive in the university environment, the surrounding community, and in your personal life.
Who should participate?
- Presidential spouses/partners
How will you benefit?
- Networking opportunities
- Professional development
- A community of support from fellow spouses/partners
Testimonials
“The program recognizes the vital role played by spouses and partners in supporting university and college presidents and the many services these men and women selflessly provide to their institutions. By offering programming catered to the needs and interests of spouses and partners as well as a sympathetic and encouraging network of peers, the Program is meant for beginning as well as long time spouses and partners. The Program’s Planning Committee is composed of experienced spouses and partners who work throughout the year to develop conference sessions and activities that are designed to allow members to gather together as a community to collaboratively share their experiences and provide advice for spouses and partners dealing with the day-to-day issues and situations they will face in their roles.”
“I’m so grateful for the support and community I’ve found within the AASCU Spouse and Partner Program. It’s truly amazing to connect with other spouses and partners of university presidents who understand the unique challenges and rewards of this role. The organization has been invaluable in providing resources, networking opportunities, and a sense of belonging. I’ve especially enjoyed serving on the committee that plans programming for our annual conference. It’s been a great way to give back to the community and ensure that our events meet the needs of both new and current spouses.”
“As I enter my third year as a spouse to a university president, I would like to reflect on how I enjoy participating in AASCU’s Spouse/Partner program. I find the opportunity to gather in person or virtually with other spouses and partners of university presidents very helpful and meaningful. To be able to share ideas and experiences provides for me helpful tools for navigating the challenges and opportunities of being married to a university president. The group of people I have interacted with thus far have been supportive and eager to help. This unique group has been structured to allow spouses and partners to participate as much or as little as they would like without feeling pressured to do more. While for the most part we only have the opportunity to meet in person once or twice a year, we are never more than an email or call away from each other. Thank you AASCU for creating this network of folks.”
program highlights
A community of support.
The AASCU Spouse/Partner Program provides networking opportunities, professional development, and guidance, all tailored to the unique needs of presidential spouses and partners.
Program offerings include conferences, symposiums, webinars, and brown bag sessions. They are delivered in a confidential, supportive, and comfortable setting that enables presidential spouses and partners to discuss shared journeys, challenges and wins.
The AASCU Annual Conference includes programming designed specifically for spouses/partners. Presidential spouses/partners network with colleagues and learn how they are balancing the many and varied responsibilities of their roles.
Sessions may focus on:
- The Spouse/Partner Role in Fund and Friend-raising
- Ideas for Campus and Community Engagement
- Managing Expectations
- The Varying Roles of Spouses/Partners
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Topical Roundtables
- Navigating Legislative Matters
- Crisis Management
- Brand Management and Communication Tools
- Time Management/Creating and Maintaining Relationships
- Recognizing and Handling Challenges
The strength of this program comes from the diversity of its membership, whose knowledge, expertise, and commitment serve as great resources. A critical resource we offer is the Spouse/Partner Member Directory (login required.)
Member Directory- Dr. Alison Nooks, spouse of former president Kirk Nooks, Gordon State College (GA)
- Mike Matson, spouse of president Cynthia Teniente-Matson, San Jose State University
- Rick Gonzalez, spouse of president Timothy Mottet, Colorado State University Pueblo
- Elizabeth Ross, spouse of former president George Ross, Central Michigan University
- Cyndie Shepard, spouse of former chancellor Bruce Shepard, Western Washington University
- Judy Ingle, spouse of former president Ronald Ingle (deceased) Coastal Carolina University (SC)
- Jo Hern Curris, spouse of former president Constantine W. (Deno) Curris, Murray State University (KY), University of Northern Iowa, Clemson University (SC), and American Association of State Colleges and University (AASCU)
- Bobbie Ostar, spouse of president emeritus, American Association of State Colleges and University (AASCU)
PLANNING AND OUTREACH CO-COORDINATORS
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Donovan
Howard
Presidential Spouse/Partner
State University of New York at New Paltz
Tressa
Kelly
Presidential Spouse
Arkansas State University System
Michael
Mills
Presidential Spouse
State University of New York at Geneseo
Darlene
Repollet
Presidential Spouse
Kean University (NJ)
Darin
Tandberg
Presidential Spouse
Adams State University (CO)
Upcoming events for Spouses and partners
Questions about the Spouse/Partner program? Let us know.
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Presidential Postsecondary Value Commission Task Force
AASCU works to expand life-changing opportunities and close opportunity gaps. We know it is more important than ever to better understand and communicate the value of postsecondary education.
Learn more.Answering the call.
AASCU and our members play a vital role in reimagining a postsecondary education system centered on ensuring equitable value and reimagining our postsecondary system as an instrument to create a stronger and more just society together.
AASCU presidents answered the call to action issued by former AASCU Board Chair and President of the Arkansas State University System Chuck Welch to engage in a coordinated and organized effort to further the work of the 2021 Postsecondary Value Commission (PVC) report that proposed a new approach for measuring the value of education after high school. AASCU President Mildred García co-chaired the commission.
Following the call, AASCU formed the Presidential Postsecondary Value Commission Task Force. The task force is focused on the five key areas the PVC Commission outlined:
- Equalize access to increase postsecondary value
- Remove affordability as an impediment to postsecondary value
- Eliminate completion gaps and strengthen post-college outcomes to ensure postsecondary value
- Improve data to expose and address inequitable postsecondary value
- Promote social justice by providing equitable postsecondary value
Task Force Goals:
- Engage in a coordinated and organized effort to further the work of the Postsecondary Value Commission report to place a spotlight on AASCU institutions as a collective.
- Share the equity work outlined in the report that our institutions are already doing via promising practices that demonstrate value added through personal enrichment, preparation for successful careers, and contributions to society.
Share your promising practice.
To help AASCU institutions tell their story as it relates to the action agenda, we created an online portal for members to submit their promising practices.
Share practices.AASCU member campuses are taking charge for a better tomorrow. Read and share what your colleagues around the country are doing to make a difference.
Read stories.Meet the Presidential Postsecondary Value Commission Task Force
Heidi M.
Anderson
President
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Virginia (Ginny)
Arthur
President
Metro State University (MN)
José Luis
Cruz Rivera
President
Northern Arizona University
Kelly
Damphousse
President
Texas State University
Kristin G.
Esterberg
Chancellor
University of Washington Bothell
Mildred
García
Chancellor
California State University System
Robert
Glenn
President
University of Houston-Victoria (TX)
Sandra D.
Haynes
Chancellor
Washington State University Tri-Cities
Saúl
Jiménez-Sandoval
President
California State University, Fresno
Brad
Mortensen
President
Weber State University (UT)
Timothy
Mottet
President Emeritus
Colorado State University-Pueblo
Charles L.
Welch
President and CEO
AASCU
Alisa
White
President
Sam Houston State University (TX)
Questions about the Postsecondary Value Commission? Ask Us.
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AASCU on the Hill
Meet with your members of Congress and help shape policies that directly impact AASCU institutions.
