University of Richmond President Ronald A. Crutcher has spent his career focused on higher education access, affordability, and inclusiveness.

The University of Richmond has benefitted from his focus, and now others will as well. Last week, he was elected chair of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education (ACE), the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities. Its diverse membership includes more than 1,700 colleges and universities.

Crutcher, who currently serves as ACE Board vice chair, will begin his term in March 2021.

“I have focused throughout my career on higher education access, affordability, and inclusive excellence, all principles that are more important than ever as our institutions and students face unprecedented challenges,” Crutcher said. “It is a privilege to serve as the chair of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education, an organization that also focuses on these vital goals on behalf of all of American higher education.”

Under Crutcher’s leadership, the University of Richmond joined 30 of the nation’s most respected colleges and universities as charter members of the American Talent Initiative, whose goal is to increase socioeconomic diversity in higher education. He writes and speaks widely on the value of liberal education and the democratic purposes and civic mission of higher education.

UR’s president also agreed to serve on the Academic Leaders Task Force on Campus Free Expression. The task force, launched by the Bipartisan Policy Center, will identify practices, programs, and policies that foster robust campus cultures.

His contributions within the higher education space have recently been recognized. Crutcher was among a group of individuals recognized as a Richmond Times-Dispatch Person of the Year honoree. The individuals were spotlighted for their broad range of contributions over time.

Earlier this fall, Crutcher was recognized on Virginia Business’ inaugural "The Virginia 500 — The 2020 Power List," featuring the state’s top business leaders. He recently completed his memoir which is set for release in February 2021.