Michael Crow became the 16th president of Arizona State University on July 1, 2002. He is guiding the transformation of ASU into one of the nation's leading public metropolitan research universities — an institution that combines the highest levels of academic excellence, inclusiveness to a broad demographic and maximum societal impact — in a model he terms the "New American University." Under his direction, the university pursues teaching, research and creative excellence focused on the major challenges of our time as well as those central to the quality of life, sustainable development and economic competitiveness of Arizona and the nation. He has committed the university to sustainability, social embeddedness and global engagement, and has championed initiatives leading to record levels of diversity in the student body.

Under his leadership, ASU has established more than a dozen new transdisciplinary schools and large-scale research initiatives such as the Biodesign Institute; the Global Institute of Sustainability; the School of Sustainability; the Flexible Display Center; and important initiatives in the humanities and social sciences. During his tenure, the university has nearly tripled research expenditures, completed an unprecedented infrastructure expansion and announced naming gifts endowing the W. P. Carey School of Business, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

Prior to joining ASU, President Crow was executive vice provost of Columbia University, where he also was professor of science and technology policy in the School of International and Public Affairs. As chief strategist of Columbia's research enterprise, he led technology and innovation transfer operations, establishing Columbia Innovation Enterprises (renamed Science and Technology Ventures) as well as advancing interdisciplinary program development. He played the lead role in the creation of and served as the founding director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and in 1998 founded the Center for Science, Policy, and Outcomes, dedicated to linking science and technology to optimal social, economic, and environmental outcomes. In 2003, CSPO was reconstituted at ASU and is now based in both Phoenix and Washington, DC.

A fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Council on Foreign Relations, he is the author of books and articles relating to the design and analysis of knowledge enterprises, technology transfer, sustainable development, and science and technology policy.