SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu was one of five educational leaders elected to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Board of Directors on Nov. 17 during the organization’s Annual Conference for Presidents and Chancellors in Nashville.

President Nwosu’s appointment to the AASCU Board places him among a select group of national leaders who guide the association’s strategic direction and advance its mission. The board provides essential oversight to ensure AASCU continues to promote access, student success, and inclusive excellence across regional public institutions. In this role, President Nwosu will help develop policies and initiatives that strengthen the impact of state colleges and universities nationwide, furthering AASCU’s commitment to transforming lives and communities through public higher education.

President Nwosu also serves as chair of AASCU’s Committee on Student Success, a position he has held since December 2024.

“I am deeply honored to serve on the AASCU Board of Directors and to help advance our shared commitment to expanding access and elevating student success,” President Nwosu said. “This opportunity highlights SUNY Oswego’s role in shaping the future of public higher education and strengthens our efforts to ensure that every student—from their first days on campus to graduation and beyond—has the support and pathways necessary to thrive.”

At the conference, President Nwosu contributed his leadership and expertise to two key sessions examining institutional resilience and student success. In the workshop “The Resilient Future Plan,” facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Latino of EAB, he discussed SUNY Oswego’s approach to leading through change, highlighting initiatives tied to Vision 4040 and the university’s strategic plan as examples of how institutions can prepare for an evolving higher education landscape.

President Nwosu also participated in the Presidential Leadership Panel: Leading for Student Success at the SSEI Impact & Sustainability Summit, joining national leaders to explore how regional public universities are advancing opportunity and supporting their communities. His remarks emphasized the critical role these institutions play in promoting economic mobility and closing equity gaps—reinforcing SUNY Oswego’s commitment to strengthening student pathways and sustaining momentum in a rapidly changing environment.

Additional appointments

During the AASCU 2025 Annual Conference, the association also appointed Ora H. Pescovitz, president of Oakland University in Michigan, as chair of the Board of Directors, and Bennie L. Harris, chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate, as chair-elect.

Along with President Nwosu, the following leaders were elected to the Board of Directors:

  • Katherine P. Frank, chancellor, University of Wisconsin–Stout
  • Todd G. Lamb, president, University of Central Oklahoma
  • Lynn Mahoney, president, San Francisco State University
  • Radha Pyati, chancellor, Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus

AASCU is a Washington, D.C.–based higher education association representing more than 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems. Its members share a learning- and teaching-focused culture, a longstanding commitment to diverse student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that shape regional economic growth and cultural development.