Chancellor Girod begins term as board chair of Association of American Universities

LAWRENCE — The member presidents and chancellors of the Association of American Universities have elected University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod as chair of the AAU Board of Directors.

Girod succeeds Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber, who had served as AAU’s board chair since October 2024. AAU board chairs serve a one-year term.

“I am honored to serve as board chair for the Association of American Universities and to have the opportunity to partner with colleagues across the nation on issues that impact higher education,” Girod said. “America’s leading research universities are vital to our nation’s prosperity, health and security, and AAU plays a crucial role in advocating on their behalf and helping them work together. This is an important moment for higher education, and I look forward to collaborating with AAU peers, policymakers and industry leaders to ensure our nation’s research universities are positioned to continue benefitting society.”

As chair, Girod will help guide AAU’s work and serve as a spokesperson for the association, particularly on federal policy issues affecting research universities. He will also represent AAU in discussions with lawmakers, help develop the association’s national policy positions, and play a significant role in determining AAU’s agenda during the coming year.

Girod previously served as vice chair of the AAU board.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Chancellor Girod as one of AAU’s longest-serving university leaders, and I have had the pleasure of working with him for many years,” said AAU President Barbara R. Snyder. “He is an exceptionally talented leader who approaches complex challenges with thoughtfulness and deliberation. As a public university leader, he deeply understands the transformative power of higher education and the critical role universities play in driving local, state, and national economies. I look forward to collaborating with him to ensure that America’s leading research universities continue to foster groundbreaking scientific and technological advancements that serve the public good and keep our nation globally competitive.”

In addition to his role with the AAU, Girod currently serves as chair of the Big 12 Conference's board of directors, and as a member of both the NCAA Division I board of directors and the NCAA board of governors.