Lynn Pasquerella

Dr. Lynn Pasquerella serves as the 14th president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), a leading organization in American higher education. Pasquerella began her academic journey as a community college student, working 35 hours a week at a factory in her hometown while caring for her chronically ill mother. As a first-generation college student, she earned a bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College and a PhD in philosophy from Brown University.

Pasquerella joined the faculty of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Rhode Island, advancing to vice provost for research, vice provost for academic affairs, and dean of the graduate school. She later served as provost of the University of Hartford and as the 18th president of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Her leadership at Mount Holyoke included strategic planning, outreach to diverse constituencies, and fostering a vibrant campus community. Throughout her career, Pasquerella has focused on expanding access to liberal education and promoting equity in higher education.

A philosopher, Pasquerella has written extensively on medical ethics, metaphysics, public policy, and the philosophy of law. Her book, "What We Value: Public Health, Social Justice, and Educating for Democracy," explores issues such as moral distress, access to resources, and the conflict over whose voices are privileged, arguing that liberal education is essential preparation for work, citizenship, and life. Her research has been supported by organizations including the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the American Bar Association, the Council of Graduate Schools, and the United States Office of Research Integrity. She has served as principal investigator on major grants to promote the careers of women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

Pasquerella extends her influence as a public intellectual through media and public engagement. She has hosted "The Academic Minute," a radio segment and podcast produced by Northeast Public Radio in partnership with AAC&U, which features university-based researchers and is syndicated across North America. Her public appearances, including university commencement addresses and national conferences, often address the democratic purposes of higher education and the challenges facing the sector.