Our History

AASCU Consulting, previously, the AASCU-Penson Center for Professional Development (AASCU-Penson Center), was established in 2014 by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to support institutional leaders in managing the broad range of strategic and organizational challenges of American higher education. One of higher education’s most credible research and consultation firms, AASCU Consulting is known and admired for the experience and competence of its associates, the quality of its services to its many clients and the integrity of its work.

AASCU Consulting builds on the tradition of Penson Associates Inc., founded more than 40 years ago by Dr. Edward M. Penson — president emeritus of Salem State University in Massachusetts and chancellor emeritus of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. AASCU Consulting assures the continuation of the consulting services long provided by Penson Associates, while allowing AASCU—a Washington-based higher education association of nearly 400 public colleges and universities—to advance its goal of being a full-service association for its members that helps institutions enhance their leadership capacity and strengthen their campus administrations.