Michael M. Crow

Michael M. Crow. He is an American academic administrator and professor, best known for his transformative tenure as the 16th president of Arizona State University. Since assuming the presidency in 2002, he has championed the model of the "New American University," emphasizing broad access to higher education, interdisciplinary research, and societal impact. His leadership has significantly reshaped the institution's scale, academic profile, and national reputation.

Early life and education

Born in San Diego, California, he spent his formative years in the region. He completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science and environmental studies. He remained at the same institution to receive a Master of Public Administration. He later pursued doctoral work at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, where he was awarded a Ph.D. in public administration. His early academic work focused on science and technology policy, areas that would deeply influence his later career in university leadership.

Academic career

Before his appointment at Arizona State University, he held several prominent academic and administrative positions. He served as a professor and vice provost at Columbia University, where he was also executive vice provost. At Columbia, he was a founding director of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy and played a key role in developing the Earth Institute. His earlier career included faculty appointments and policy research roles, where he collaborated with organizations like the National Academy of Sciences and the Office of Technology Assessment. This background in science policy and academic administration provided a foundation for his innovative approach to university design.

Presidency of Arizona State University

Appointed in 2002, his presidency has been defined by the ambitious redesign of Arizona State University into what he terms a "New American University." This model rejects the traditional elitism of Ivy League institutions, instead prioritizing inclusivity, innovation, and maximum societal impact. Under his leadership, the university has dramatically expanded its student body, established numerous new transdisciplinary schools and colleges like the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and forged major research partnerships with entities such as NASA, the Mayo Clinic, and Intel. He has overseen a significant expansion of the university's physical footprint across the Phoenix metropolitan area, including the development of the Downtown Phoenix campus and the ASU Polytechnic campus. His tenure has also seen a marked rise in research expenditures, graduation rates, and the university's standing in national rankings.

Publications and thought leadership

He is a prolific author and speaker on higher education reform, innovation, and design. His books include *The Fifth Wave: The Evolution of American Higher Education* and *Designing the New American University*, co-authored with William B. Dabars. His scholarly articles have appeared in publications such as *Science*, *Nature*, and *Issues in Science and Technology*. He frequently contributes to national discourse through platforms like *The Chronicle of Higher Education* and major media outlets, advocating for universities as drivers of economic development and social progress. His conceptual framework for the "New American University" has influenced discussions on the future of public higher education across the United States and internationally.

Awards and recognition

His work has been recognized with numerous honors. He was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Public Administration. He has received the National Science Board's Public Service Award and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the American Council on Education. In 2020, he was named one of the world's top 50 leaders by *Fortune* magazine on its "World's Greatest Leaders" list. Under his leadership, Arizona State University has consistently been ranked #1 in innovation among U.S. universities by *U.S. News & World Report*.

Category:American university and college presidents Category:Arizona State University Category:1951 births Category:Living people