Pitt’s chancellor is the Association of American Universities’ new board chair

The Association of American Universities (AAU) today elected University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher as chair of its board of directors.

“America’s leading research institutions have a powerful role to play in moving our nation forward,” said Chancellor Gallagher. “AAU is uniquely positioned to support this progress — cultivating not just institutional excellence but entire communities of academic innovation that drive transformative change.”

The AAU comprises 66 of America’s leading research universities, including Pitt. Collectively, the group helps shape policies for higher education, science and innovation; promotes best practices in undergraduate and graduate education and strengthens the contributions of leading research universities to American society.

As chair, Gallagher 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 national policy positions and play a significant role in determining the association’s agenda during the coming year.

“Chancellor Gallagher has a remarkable track record in public service and university leadership that will serve him exceptionally well as AAU chair,” said AAU President Barbara R. Snyder. “He has a keen understanding of the role research universities play in maintaining America’s global competitiveness and leadership in scientific and technological innovation. As the chancellor of a premier public institution, he also knows the valuable contributions research universities make to the health and the economies of their local communities and states.”

Gallagher, who holds a PhD in physics from Pitt, has served as the chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh since 2014. He came to Pittsburgh after spending nearly two decades in public service. He was appointed by President Barack Obama as the director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2009 and as the acting deputy secretary of commerce in 2013. Gallagher has also served as the undersecretary of commerce for standards and technology. He was previously the vice chair of the AAU board.