John D. Haeger, the 15th president of Northern Arizona University, leads NAU in its mission of undergraduate education coupled with the university’s ongoing efforts in research, graduate education, and distance learning.

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, 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 rural students who receive their educations through NAU’s distance learning programs.

He is a member of the board of directors of TGEN, the Translational Genomics Research Institute, 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. He also serves on the boards of the Greater Flagstaff Economic Council, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Flagstaff Medical Center Certificate Holders.

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

He 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. 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.

Haeger has written several books on the topic of economic change, one of which, 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.

Haeger came to NAU from Towson University in Maryland where he served as provost for five years.

Haeger and his wife, Cecily, have a daughter, Megan.