Arizona State University announced on Apr. 3 that several of its faculty members and administrators have been selected for prominent roles at other higher education institutions across the country.
The movement of ASU leaders to high-profile positions highlights the university’s reputation for innovation and leadership in academia. This trend reflects both the appeal of ASU’s approach and its influence on higher education nationally.
Stacy Leeds, dean of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, has been named president of the University of Tulsa, while Elizabeth Wentz, vice provost and dean of the Graduate College, will become provost at Temple University. Both will begin their new roles on July 1. Leeds said, “I think it’s hard for anyone on the outside to get a sense of the scale and the enormous impact of ASU. You can read articles and case studies about what’s going on here, but until you get here and become a part of it, there’s no way you can comprehend it.” She added that innovation is central to ASU: “We make fun a bit and jest about innovation, but it is at the core of everything we do. My takeaway is that you really can branch out and do things very differently in higher ed and still be very successful.”
Wentz reflected on her time at ASU by saying, “I’ve had a really great career arc here, and I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and apply it as appropriate to another institution.” She also noted her commitment to creative problem-solving: “It about not being entrenched in, ‘Well, this is the way that we’ve always done it,’… how do we do those things differently while still aligning with our fundamental academic principles?”
ASU President Michael Crow said: “ASU’s unique design attracts talented, energized people who want to develop new approaches to learning and discovery. Our transdisciplinary and collaborative environments empower driven leaders to explore their innovative ideas…” Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and provost at ASU said these appointments are “points of pride for our university,” adding they reflect “the strength of our academic community.”
Other former administrators who have moved into significant roles include Sethuraman Panchanathan (former chief research officer), Laurie Leshin (former director at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory), Maria Rosario Jackson (former chair National Endowment for the Arts), Paul Johnson (president Colorado School of Mines), Steven Tepper (president Hamilton College), Jonathan Koppell (president Montclair State University), Marlene Tromp (president University of Vermont), Elizabeth Cantwell (president Washington State University) among others.
According to a press release from the City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department, Arizona State University partners with tech startup Argos Vision in developing smart traffic cameras intended to improve safety through data analysis during a one-year pilot program in Phoenix locations.
Arizona State University’s focus on innovation has received national recognition; it was named number one in innovation by U.S. News & World Report for eight consecutive years based on nominations from college presidents, provosts, admissions deans—and also ranked highly in undergraduate business, nursing, and engineering programs.
Leeds expressed pride over initiatives such as expanding access through an online law degree program: “The online JD is part…of our charter…we can do this in a very excellent way that opens up access…” Wentz highlighted changes like automatic admission into master’s programs for eligible undergraduates as examples where institutional mission guides new solutions.
As more Sun Devils assume influential positions elsewhere—including presidencies or directorships—ASU continues shaping trends within higher education nationwide.
