The Arizona Board of Regents has announced a finalist in its search for the 17th president of Northern Arizona University. Dr. Jose Luis Cruz has been recognized as the Board’s top choice for the position.
Cruz currently serves as the Vice Chancellor and Provost at The City University of New York. He’s worked for universities in California and Puerto Rico, and served at the Education Trust in Washington D.C. Cruz. In a statement from ABOR, Cruz said he’s forward to joining the university; he is scheduled to NAU’s Flagstaff campus today, meeting with students, staff, faculty and community leaders, both virtually and in small in-person groups. The decision comes after current president Rita Cheng announced in 2020 she would not renew her contract, which will expire in 2022. ABOR will take action to approve contract terms and appoint Cruz as the new NAU president at a subsequent meeting.