U.S. Ambassador Welcomes University Leaders to Mexico

-Editorial 

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson welcomed more than 100 presidents and rectors of American universities to Mexico for the summer meeting of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

The gathering brings together higher education leaders from public and land-grant institutions across the United States to discuss cross-border academic collaboration, joint research initiatives, and educational partnerships between the two nations.

In a separate statement on higher education, APLU President Waded Cruzado addressed a recent call to action from the U.S. Department of Education directed at university presidents and governing boards.

“We appreciate the U.S. Department of Education’s recognition of the many contributions higher education has made to American progress since the country’s founding 250 years ago. We thank Secretary McMahon for affirming the vital role higher education plays in communities across the country,” Cruzado said.

Cruzado emphasized the historic partnership between the federal government and public universities, citing the Morrill Land-Grant Acts of 1862, 1890, and 1994. She noted that public research universities remain committed to their taxpayer-funded missions, regional workforce needs, and affordable pathways to higher education.

“Our land-grant and public research universities value the support they receive from taxpayers,” Cruzado said. “These institutions already work every day to meet the goals outlined in the Department’s letter. We look forward to learning more from the Department of Education about this effort and collaborating to advance our shared goals.”

APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization representing public research universities, land-grant institutions, and state university systems across North America. Its summer conference provides a forum for higher education leaders to address shared international challenges, student mobility, and institutional strategy.