Message From the Interim President

Patricia Salkin | March 2026

Dear ACAO Members,

It is an honor to serve as Interim President of the Association of Chief Academic Officers during a time when higher education continues to evolve in profound ways. Chief Academic Officers play a pivotal role in guiding their institutions through complexity, fostering academic excellence, and ensuring that our campuses remain places of opportunity, innovation, and learning.

ACAO exists to support you in that important work. Our community brings together academic leaders from across all sectors of higher education who share a commitment to advancing scholarship, strengthening institutions, and supporting one another in a role that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Through our conferences, town halls, peer connections, and professional resources, ACAO provides a space where CAOs can exchange ideas, share experiences, and develop solutions to the pressing issues facing higher education today.

As Interim President, I look forward to continuing to build on ACAO’s strong foundation while working alongside our board and members to further strengthen this community of leaders. Whether you are new to the CAO role or have years of experience guiding academic strategy, your perspective and engagement are vital to the success of this organization.

Thank you for your leadership, your dedication to your institutions, and your commitment to the students, faculty, and communities you serve. I encourage you to remain actively engaged with ACAO and to take advantage of the many opportunities to connect with colleagues across the country.

Sincerely,

Patricia Salkin, J.D., Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs, Provost, Graduate & Professional Divisions at Touro University
Interim President, Association of Chief Academic Officers (ACAO)