University of Colorado Chancellor Phil DiStefano has been named to the board of directors of the Association of American Universities, officials said.

The AAU is an invitation-based organization made up of 62 research universities that earn the majority of competitively-awarded federal funding for academic research, according to a CU Boulder Today post.

The 11 members of the governing body of the AAU board propose policies, adopt policies on behalf of members, approve the annual budget and work with the president and staff of the AAU.

“As a lifelong educator, I’m especially pleased to be named to the board of this association of 62 distinguished universities that shape the future of higher education, science and innovation for the advancement of society,” said DiStefano, in a CU post online.

He is also a member of the AAU membership committee.

The Boulder campus is the only AAU member in the Rocky Mountain West, CU said, and became a member in 1966.

Public and private universities make up the organization’s membership, including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, among others.

Elizabeth Hernandez: 303-473-1106, hernandeze@dailycamera.com