John D. Haeger leads Northern Arizona University in its commitment to undergraduate education—a commitment enhanced by the university's ongoing efforts in research, graduate education and distance learning.

Dr. Haeger has been NAU president since November 2001 after joining the university to serve as NAU provost in June 2000.

During his term as president, Dr. Haeger has led the university as it emphasized the integration of technology in teaching and student services. He also has strengthened the university's ties to Arizona's rural students who receive their educations through NAU's distance learning programs. At the same time, the university has reemphasized its commitment to internationalization, with new agreements with Chinese universities and renewed exchange opportunities around the world.

Among other university achievements under his leadership:

• Expansion of nursing and the health professions. Answering a call from the governor, the Legislature and the citizens of Arizona, the university has placed special emphasis on graduating more students in nursing and developing or expanding programs in the health professions, including occupational therapy, athletic training and physical therapy. NAU will have a presence in the new downtown Phoenix medical school and will offer classes and programs in Flagstaff and throughout the state.
• Hotel-conference center complex. Dr. Haeger initiated a joint partnership among NAU, the city of Flagstaff, the Arizona Board of Regents and Drury Hotels. A 160-room hotel is planned along with a 42,000-square-foot conference center and adjoining parking structure.
• 'Finish in Four' guarantee. NAU promises to provide students the advisement help and courses necessary to finish obtaining their degree within four years.
• Arizona Cardinals partnership. The National Football League's Arizona Cardinals agreed to renew a three-year conduct their training camp at the Flagstaff campus.
• Yuma branch campus. NAU took its acclaimed venture in Yuma to a new level after receiving unanimous approval from the Arizona Board of Regents to designate NAU-Yuma as a branch campus. The designation allows NAU to build programming and resources at its Arizona Western College site.
• Yuma campus named Hispanic Serving Institution. The U.S. Department of Education recently designated NAU-Yuma a Hispanic Service Institution. This new designation will strengthen NAU-Yuma's ability to serve Hispanic students by making it eligible for increased funding to be used for activities such as faculty development, student support services, administrative management, development of academic programs, endowment funds, scientific or laboratory equipment for teaching and renovation of instructional facilities.
• Distance Learning. In addition to extending programs in rural Arizona, Northern Arizona University has expanded programs and buildings and solidified the university's presence throughout Maricopa and Pima counties.
• New capital improvement projects. Over the last several years, Northern Arizona University has undertaken several building projects, including McKay Village student housing, new buildings for the School of Communication and the College of Business, a remodeled Engineering building, a new science and chemistry lab, and the new Applied Research and Development building, one of the three greenest in the world after receiving a "Platinum" rating for environmental design from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building rating system.
• Opening a door to China. Dr. Haeger, who serves on the American Association of State College and Universities' Committee on International Education, has signed agreements with several Chinese universities that will enhance the international flavor of NAU's campus as well as offer Chinese students a degree from NAU and their home university.

Dr. Haeger is a member Arizona Board of Education, the Governor's P-20 Council, the board of directors of the Translational Genomics Research Institute, known as TGen, is former chair of the United Way of Northern Arizona board, serves as commissioner for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, and is past chair of the Council of Presidents of the Big Sky Conference.

Dr. Haeger has worked at all levels of higher education—professor, chair, dean, vice president, and provost.

Dr. Haeger earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Loyola University in Chicago. He was a professor and chair of the history department at Central Michigan University as well as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He later worked as associate dean and then interim dean and finally dean of the College of Graduate Studies/Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at the same institution.

He also served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Towson University in Maryland.

He had substantial years in the classroom before his administrative career and published several books and numerous articles on topics related to the history of economic change in the United States and how it affects individuals and institutions. His work on The Investment Frontier won a national award from Choice magazine and his book on John Astor argued for Astor's role as the first modern American venture capitalist.