GCU president describes visit by ASU staff as ‘very positive’
May 15, 2018, 4:04 AM
(Facebook/Grand Canyon University)
(Facebook/Grand Canyon University)
PHOENIX — Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller described a visit by Arizona State University’s leadership team to his campus on Monday as “a very positive experience.”
Mueller said the meet and greet between members of both leadership teams was “probably the best.”
“It was amazing how many members of their leadership team knew members of our leadership team and had worked together in some capacity prior and were familiar with each other,” he said.
ASU President Michael Crow took more than 100 members of his leadership team on a trip to GCU on Monday.
They toured the Phoenix campus and talked about ways the two universities can work together now that GCU is seeking to return to nonprofit status.
The meeting kicked off with both presidents talking about the contributions their universities are making to Arizona and different parts of the world.
Mueller said members of both leadership teams had a chance to discuss ways they could collaborate. He said follow-up meetings between them will likely take place, as will meetings between him and Crow to further discuss “ways we can cooperate moving forward.”
In a statement sent to KTAR News 92.3 FM, an ASU spokesperson said the university “appreciated the opportunity to visit with the GCU team and talk about how to advance education and economic opportunities for Arizonans.”
“Dr. Crow and Brian Mueller led a productive conversation,” the spokesperson added. “We are grateful for the hospitality they showed in welcoming us.”
The visit came a few months after the Higher Learning Commission approved a request by GCU to revert back to nonprofit status. It was the biggest hurdle the university had to pass in its quest to convert from a publicly traded for-profit to a nonprofit.
