Content area
Full Text
Muriel A. Howard, president of the State University of New York College at Buffalo, is set to become the first black leader of any of the "big six" higher-education associations in Washington. She was named last week as the next president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
Ms. Howard, 60, is scheduled to take over the top post at the public-college group in August. In an interview, she talked about the milestone her selection marks, her leadership style, and the challenges she will face.
Here are highlights of the discussion:
Q. What are your key goals for AASCU, and where do you see the biggest battles and challenges lying ahead?
A. We're all very concerned about the economic situation as it stands right now, so I think that's going to be a challenge. That's going to influence policy. This is the first time in a very, very long time in the history of the United States that higher education and education and health, and other important services, have really had to compete with business in terms of how the country has to expend its dollars. With the...