Central Washington University President James L. Gaudino has been appointed a Region 4 representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Presidents Council. As such, he will represent the 59 Division II member institutions in a region that encompasses Washington, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas and Utah.

The 15-member council, comprised of presidents and chancellors from Division II member institutions, is the chief governing body for NCAA Division II athletics. Its responsibilities include ratifying, amending or rescinding actions of the Division II Management Council, developing and approving budgets and expenditures, and implementing policies and procedures pertaining to Division II athletics.

“I'm honored to be appointed to the council and look forward to addressing issues facing Division II schools here in the region,” Gaudino said. “I believe a strong athletics program is an integral part of the campus experience here at Central, and at all schools in our region.”

Gaudino is just the second university president in the 10-year history of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) to serve on the council.

“Dr. Gaudino's appointment is a significant development for our conference,” said GNAC Commissioner Richard Hannan. “With his background as an athlete and his interest in Division II athletics, I'm confident he will prove to be a strong voice not only for the GNAC but for all of Division II.”

A 1972 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Gaudino was an offensive tackle on the Falcons' football team. He has served as CWU's president since Jan. 1, 2009.

Before arriving at Central, Gaudino was the founding dean of the College of Communication and Information at Kent State University. He also served as executive director of the National Communication Association. Based in Washington, D.C., it is the largest national organization dedicated to communication.

Gaudino's four-year term on the Presidents Council begins during the 2011 NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas, in January and continues through 2015. The council meets four times each year: at the annual convention in January, and then in April, August and October.