The Arizona Board of Regents has named SIU Chancellor Rita Cheng the next president at Northern Arizona University.

The announcement was made today in a press release from the board. Cheng will be the 16th president in the history of NAU.

“I am truly honored to become the next president of Northern Arizona University and to be a part of the rich tradition and culture that has made NAU the university of choice for so many outstanding students and faculty,” Cheng said in an Arizona Board of Regents press release.

SIU President Randy Dunn said Cheng has the skill sets and talents to succeed at NAU.

“First of all I want to extend my congratulations to her,” Dunn said.

Dunn said he didn’t know when Cheng’s last day at SIU would be, but he still wants an interim chancellor in place by the start of the academic year.

He said the board would discuss which route it wants to take at the meeting on June 24th. Dunn said the board would have to decide if they want to fast track the appointment of a new chancellor or stay with an interim for an extended period of time.

Cheng will start her presidency at NAU on Aug. 15.

A call to Cheng was not returned at the time of publication.

Tyler Dixon can be reached at [email protected] or 536-3311 ext. 252.