Ann Weaver Hart will become the next president of the University of Arizona, the Arizona Board of Regents announced Tuesday.
When the hire is made official by the regents next week, Hart will become the 21st president of the UA, and its first female president.
Hart has been president of Temple University, a public university in Philadelphia, since 2006. She announced last fall that she plans to step down June 30, citing an interest in being closer to her family in Utah.
She will visit Tucson on Monday to meet with students, faculty, staff, administrators and the public. Hart's spokesman said she will not give media interviews until then.
Hart will replace UA President Eugene Sander, who agreed to be president for a short time during a national search to replace former President Robert Shelton. Shelton resigned in July to become head of the Fiesta Bowl.
The Board of Regents' search committee conducted a six-month national search and considered several finalists from a pool of more than 80 résumés before choosing Hart, said regent and search committee co-chair Dennis DeConcini.
The other finalists were not identified, and finalists weren't vetted by the campus community as in previous president searches.
"Dr. Hart is a consummate leader, educator and administrator, and embodies all of the leadership characteristics we are seeking in the next president of the UA," Regent Rick Myers, search committee co-chair, said in a news release. "She has left indelible marks with each position she has held and has transformed Temple University into a higher performing institution at nearly every level and undoubtedly will do the same at the UA."
DeConcini said he liked her stance on tuition, which is to find alternative streams of income instead of increasing tuition.
In an announcement about her resignation from Temple, Hart cited an increasing graduation rate, new strategic plans, new academic research centers and a $380 million fundraising campaign as some of her accomplishments there.
Hart earned $579,000 in annual salary and benefits from Temple in 2010. Shelton earned $615,000 in annual salary and benefits at the UA.
Hart's work experience includes time as president of the University of New Hampshire and provost at Claremont Graduate University in California.
She earned a doctoral degree in educational administration from the University of Utah and has a background in history.
Other regents search committee members expressed excitement about their choice.
Faculty leader J.C. Mutchler, the only UA faculty member on the search committee, said Hart is a qualified and talented leader, and he looks forward to hearing her vision for the UA.
Student President James Allen said Hart was his favorite candidate. He said she seems like someone who will work well with students and do everything she can "to keep tuition manageable."
Alumni Association leader Melinda Burke said, "I'm excited at the potential of having her leadership at the University of Arizona. I think she will be a strong advocate for the faculty, students and alumni, and continue the tradition of excellence at the university. I'm very impressed with her leadership."
On StarNet: View Ann Weaver Hart's résumé at azstarnet.com/pdf
Ann Weaver Hart
• 2006 to present: President of Temple University in Pennsylvania.
• 2002-06: President of the University of New Hampshire.
• 1998-2002: Provost and vice president for academic affairs at Claremont Graduate University in California.
• 1993-98: Dean of the graduate school, special assistant to the president (1997), accreditation liaison officer and professor of educational leadership and policy at the University of Utah.
• 1991-93: Associate dean of Graduate School of Education at the University of Utah.
• 1984-98: Professor at University of Utah.
Education
• 1970: Bachelor's degree in history, University of Utah.
• 1981: Master's degree in history, University of Utah.
• 1983: Ph.D. in educational administration, University of Utah.
Universities at a glance
How do Temple University and the University of Arizona compare?
Temple University
• Students: 37,367
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 18 to 1
• In-state tuition: $13,596
• Graduation rate: 66%
• Total budget: $1.1 billion
University of Arizona
• Students: 39,086
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 21 to 1
• In-state tuition: $9,286
• Graduation rate: 60%
• Total budget: $1.8 billion
Did you know?
In January 2006, the Arizona Board of Regents selected Robert Shelton to be the 19th president of the University of Arizona. They voted for him over three other candidates in a packed meeting room after more than three hours of closed deliberations.
Star reporter Jamar Younger contributed to this report. Bethany Barnes is a UA journalism student who is an apprentice at the Star. Contact Barnes or Star reporter Becky Pallack at 573-4219.
