2 candidates selected to be interviewed for NAU president job

PHOENIX – Two candidates in the running to be Northern Arizona University’s next president have been invited for interviews, officials said Tuesday.

The nationwide search is focusing on José Luis Cruz of The City University of New York and Bret Danilowicz of Florida Atlantic University, the Arizona Board of Regents, which governs the state’s three public universities, said in a press release.

The release didn’t say when their interviews would take place or if other candidates were still in contention to be NAU’s 17th president.

“We are extremely pleased with the caliber of these candidates and are confident both have the vision, talent and leadership skills necessary to lead this extraordinary university into the future,” Regent Fred DuVal, co-chair of the search advisory committee, said in the release.

José Luis Cruz, Ph.D. and Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D. have been selected as candidates for the position of 17th president of @NAU. More information is available here: https://t.co/Ah4vaUg0BK #17thNAUPres pic.twitter.com/s50F5N6zqv

— Arizona Board of Regents (@AZRegents) February 16, 2021

Cruz has been executive vice chancellor and university provost of the 25-campus CUNY system since 2019. He’s also been an administrator at Cal State Fullerton and the University of Puerto Rico system.

“Propelled by a commitment to educational equity and inclusive excellence, and commitment to underserved populations, I would be privileged to lead the great, indefatigable Lumberjack community into the bold and boundless future that lies ahead,” he said in the release.

Danilowicz has been FAU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs since 2018. He previously held administrative and faculty positions at Oklahoma State University, Georgia Southern University and University College Dublin in Ireland.

“I would be honored to become part of the Lumberjack family, embrace the culture, diversity and opportunity in Northern Arizona, and continue to build on NAU’s legacy of student success and commitment to equity and underserved populations,” he said in the release.

Outgoing NAU President Rita Cheng announced last year that she would not seek a contract extension for the position she’s held since 2014. Her deal runs through June 30 and has an annual base salary of $475,000.

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