IU Leader Takes Role With National Commission

Gard (right) and outgoing CICEP Chair Randy Woodson.

Indiana University Assistant Vice President for Economic Development David Gard is taking on a leadership role with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. Gard will be secretary of the Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness and Economic Prosperity, which leads the group’s efforts to support economic development in universities.

Gard accepted the three-year appointment just before the start of APLU’s 128th annual meeting, which is ongoing in Indianapolis. Gard and University of California at San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla will work together to set and execute the commission’s agenda.

IU says Gard played a key role in its 2014 designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. He also created the school’s Council for Regional Engagement and Economic Development. CREED identifies regional economic development concerns and identifies how IU resources can help address them.

Gard has been with IU since 2008, originally serving as executive director of the Office of the Vice President for Engagement. The IU grad also served as a U.S. Navy supply officer during Operation Desert Storm in 1997.