The CUMU Task Force on the Role and Impact of Urban and Metropolitan Campuses was established by the CUMU Board of Directors in 2024 to elevate the vital contributions of urban and metropolitan universities to their regions and to the national conversation on higher education’s value.

Co-chaired by President Loren Blanchard, University of Houston–Downtown, and President Ellen Neufeldt, California State University San Marcos, the task force brought together national higher education leaders whose vision and guidance helped launch a series of op-eds in regional outlets, highlighting the role of CUMU campuses in advancing social and economic progress.

We extend our deepest thanks to the task force members for their leadership and contributions:

• Loren J. Blanchard, President, University of Houston–Downtown (Co-Chair)
• Ellen Neufeldt, President, California State University San Marcos (Co-Chair)
• Margaret Chantung, Director of Strategic Communications, Intessa
• William A. Covino, Past President, California State University, Los Angeles
• Deborah Diamond, Director, Anchor Economy Initiative, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
• Richard Guarasci, Past President, Wagner College
• Mark Overmyer-Velazquez, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer, University of Connecticut Hartford
• Katherine S. Conway-Turner, Past President, Buffalo State University

Special thanks goes to Kionna LeMalle, Director of Executive Communications at the University of Houston–Downtown; Christine Paik, Senior Director of Executive Communications at the California State University San Marcos; and Justin Roberts, Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications at the University of Missouri–St. Louis UMSL, for their guidance and hard work.