Charles L. Welch

Charles L. Welch became the seventh president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) on January 15, 2024. He previously served as president of the Arkansas State University System for nearly 13 years, leading the state’s second-largest higher education system. 

Welch has held leadership roles at multiple Arkansas institutions, including as president of Henderson State University and chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana. He has also chaired the Arkansas Association of Public Universities and the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges. 

A longtime advocate for public higher education, Welch has deep ties to AASCU, having led two member institutions and twice chaired the AASCU Board of Directors. He co-chaired AASCU’s Presidential Postsecondary Value Commission Task Force and served as an executive sponsor for the New Presidents Academy and Emerging Leaders Program. 

Welch is a first-generation college student and the first member of his extended family to receive an advanced degree. He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Arts in political management from The George Washington University, and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 

Welch was awarded president emeritus status by the Arkansas State University System in December 2023. The system also honored Welch with the creation of the Charles L. Welch Presidential Scholars Program.