Jose Luis Cruz Rivera

Dr. José Luis Cruz Rivera is a transformative leader in public higher education, recognized for his commitment to institutional innovation, student success, and financial stewardship. As President of Northern Arizona University (NAU), he has positioned the university as a national leader in equitable postsecondary value, research excellence, and workforce development—securing HSI and R1 status, launching NAU Health, and implementing Access2Excellence, a pioneering tuition initiative. His leadership spans diverse institutions across urban and rural communities, from Puerto Rico to New York and Arizona, driving systemic change in higher education policy, faculty diversity, and interdisciplinary research. A seasoned academic and administrator, Cruz Rivera has also influenced national education policy, advised on accreditation and student aid, and led initiatives to improve access, affordability, and completion for underrepresented students. A patented inventor and former NSF Career Award recipient, he holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech.