Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Kitt Recital Hall with exterior lighting against the evening sky.

2024 Presidential Speaker Series: Harnessing Our Shared Public Values for a Brighter Future


Dear Lumberjacks,

I am honored to welcome Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) to NAU as our guest for this fall’s Presidential Speaker Series.

In a time of heightened polarization and pressing challenges, Dr. Francis and CFA are dedicated to understanding and amplifying the voices of Arizonans to shape a future that reflects our shared public values and aspirations. Through a timely and insightful discussion—“Harnessing Our Shared Public Values for a Brighter Future”—Dr. Francis will draw from CFA’s extensive research and explore the shared public values that unite us, the critical importance of centering the voices of Arizonans in public dialogue and decision-making, and why this work is more urgent than ever. 

This presentation will highlight how Arizonans throughout the state, from diverse backgrounds and communities, overwhelmingly agree on the priorities that will drive Arizona forward—providing a blueprint for leaders and citizens alike to act on what matters most. 

This topic is particularly significant for all of us at NAU. Our focus on serving the people of Arizona through transformative, high-quality educational programs that propel economic mobility and make a positive social impact is intrinsically linked to the future prosperity and aspirations of our state. I look forward to hearing Dr. Francis’ perspective and to how the work of CFA can inform and sharpen our own approaches to contributing to the future of our state.

Dr. Francis will speak at 5 p.m. on October 1 in Kitt Recital Hall. Tickets are free but are required; reserve free tickets today at nau.edu/cto.

About Dr. Francis

Sybil Francis, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Center for the Future of Arizona and serves as its Chair, President & CEO. Dr. Francis brings her passion for creating positive change, her love of Arizona, and her considerable prior national public policy expertise to her leadership of the organization, whose mission is to bring Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. Under her leadership, Center for the Future of Arizona has an ambitious and positive agenda, focused on where Arizonans agree and where there is opportunity to come together for positive change. Dr. Francis is widely regarded as a visionary leader and has received numerous honors, including being named one of Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women in 2022, the Most Admired Leaders Lifetime Achievement honor by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2023, Phoenix Magazine’s Great 48 in 2023, Arizona Capitol Times Leaders of the Year in 2022 and 2023, and AZ Business’s AZ Big 100 Leaders Shaping the Future and Most Influential Women in 2024. She holds a BA in chemistry from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in political science from MIT. She and her husband, Dr. Michael Crow, reside in Paradise Valley, and they have an adult daughter who brings them great joy.

I look forward to seeing you there you on October 1 and to the rich discussion with Dr. Francis.

In partnership,

José Luis Cruz Rivera
President

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