Rita Hartung Cheng A New Vantage Point Two years into her presidency, Rita Cheng is leading Northern Arizona University to new heights. Under her leadership, NAU is finding ways to thrive in a fast-changing environment. While today’s higher education sector offers no shortage of challenges, the university has much to celebrate: • Setting and expanding an ambitious research agenda has created more opportunities to directly impact lives in communities in Arizona and throughout the world. • The university recently ranked first in the nation for graduate education degrees and second in undergraduate engineering degrees awarded to Native American students, putting NAU on the fast track to be the nation’s leading university for Native Americans. • The American Association of State Colleges and Universities recognized the university’ss community economic development partnerships, which drive economic and cultural vitality in Aw the region, with an Excellence in Innovation Award. These achievements, coupled with Dr. Cheng’s recent appointment to the Arizona State Board of Education, demonstrate the university’ss excellence in pursuing the discovery,, use, and advancement of knowledge. At a critical time in the history of higher education, Dr. Cheng has amplified Northern Arizona University’s strengths and is steering NAU to claim its place among the great universities of our time.
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