ABOR Names Ann Weaver Hart as UA Presidential Candidate After an extensive nationwide search, the Arizona Board of Regents today announced Ann Weaver Hart as the candidate for the president of the University of Arizona. Hart is currently the president of Temple University and has served as president of the University of New Hampshire and provost and vice president for academic affairs at Claremont Graduate University. Her prior appointments also include professor of educational leadership, dean of the Graduate School and special assistant to the president at the University of Utah.
"Dr. Hart is a dynamic leader with a distinguished resume and an impeccable track record of successfully managing and advancing world-class research institutions," said ABOR Chair Fred DuVal. "We are extremely pleased that Dr. Hart has agreed to pursue the presidency at the UA. Her extensive background as an accomplished chief executive officer and experience in academic medicine will be a tremendous asset to the UA and the entire state."
"A Consummate Leader, Educator and Administrator"
During her six-year tenure as president of Temple University - America's 27th largest university and home to the academic medical center Temple University Health System - Hart is responsible for taking Temple's academic reputation to new heights. She has significantly increased undergraduate and graduate applications while raising the academic qualifications of incoming students; produced an institutional record number of Fulbright scholars; improved the freshman retention rate and time to degree; grown research expenditures by nearly $30 million; fostered technology transfer and economic development efforts; and advanced Temple's ranking with the National Science Foundation seven spots. The Chronicle of Higher Education cites Temple's graduation rate as increasing at the second fastest rate among public research universities nationwide, a feat accomplished under Hart's leadership.
"Dr. Hart is a consummate leader, educator and administrator and embodies all of the leadership characteristics we are seeking in the next president of the UA," said Regent Rick Myers, co-chair of the UA Presidential Search Committee. "She has left indelible marks with each position she has held and has transformed Temple University into a higher performing institution at nearly every level and undoubtedly will do the same at the UA."
Dr. Hart also led the development of Temple's "Framework 20/20," a $1.2 billion campus development plan; produced a comeback in football and men's and women's basketball after hiring new coaches that landed numerous NCAA conference titles and led Temple's football team to two straight winning seasons and its first bowl game in three decades; increased the school's endowment; significantly expanded Temple's international presence; and implemented a complete redesign of Temple's community relations to strengthen relations with elected officials and further enhance the value of the university to the broader community.
In addition, Hart led the University of New Hampshire for four years, a research-extensive university with land, sea and space grant university designations. It also is the flagship of the University System of New Hampshire. Hart was responsible for providing a first-class undergraduate and graduate education to students and fostering the university's role as a major partner in research, development and outreach in every county in the state.
Poised to Make a Positive Difference
Regent Dennis DeConcini, UA Presidential Search Committee co-chair, stated, "We hope that Tucson and the entire state of Arizona will welcome Dr. Hart's candidacy with open arms. We have the utmost confidence that she has the ability to effectively guide the University of Arizona in providing a high-quality learning environment, advancing its ambitious research goals and agenda and leveraging the University to make a positive difference in the state."
Hart will visit the UA campus on Feb. 13 to meet with students, faculty, staff, administrators and members of the public before the Board makes its final decision on the UA presidential candidacy. A schedule will be made public when finalized.
Hart received a bachelor of science in history, master of arts in history and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Utah. She currently serves as a member of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Board of Directors and as a member of the APLU's Commission on International Programs, which she previously chaired.
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