You are here: Our Organization

Back to top

American University is an extensive organization made up of different facilities and departments. Explore them all and learn more about who's who at AU.

Structure of Leadership

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the university. The leader of the division is the Chief of Staff and Secretary. Below the Chief of Staff and Secretary is the General Manager, WAMU 88.5, whose office includes:

  • Business Operations
  • Content and News
  • Development
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Technology

Also below the Chief of Staff is the Office of the Secretary and the Senior Director, Special Events.

The Office of the President includes the Chief of Staff and Secretary, Board of Trustees.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff are the Co-Directors of Special Events.

Also reporting to the Chief of Staff is the General Manager of WAMU 88.5, whose offices include:

  • Programming
  • Business Administration
  • Corporate Marketing
  • Development
  • Marketing and Communications

Below the Provost are the Deans of the seven schools and colleges that comprise the university:

  • The College of Arts and Sciences
  • The Kogod School of Business
  • The School of Communication
  • The School of International Service
  • The School of Public Affairs
  • The Washington College of Law
  • The School of Professional and Extended Studies
    • Graduate Gateway
    • Professional Development Programs
    • The Washington Mentorship Program
    • The Washington Semester Program
    • Washington Internships for Native Students

Also below the Provost is the Dean of Academic Affairs and Senior Vice Provost, whose office includes:

  • AU Abroad/Abroad at AU
  • The Career Center (Merit and Awards)
  • The Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning

Also below the Provost is the University Librarian

Also below the Provost is the Vice Provost, Academic Administration, whose office includes:

  • AU Central
  • Registrar

Also below the Provost is the Vice Provost, Research and Dean, Graduate Studies, whose office includes:

  • The Graduate Program Directors
  • The Research Compliance Manager
  • Sponsored Programs
  • University-Wide Centers and Institutes

Also below the Provost is the Vice Provost, Undergraduate Enrollment, whose office includes:

  • Administration and Fiscal Affairs
  • Admissions and Welcome Center
  • Enrollment Communications
  • Enrollment Marketing and Recruitment
  • Enrollment Systems
  • Financial Aid

Also below the Provost is the Vice Provost and Dean, Undergraduate Education, whose office includes:

  • Academic Support and Access Center
  • The Advising Council
  • The Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars Program
  • General Education, University College, and Learning Communities
  • The Three-Year BA Program
  • The University Honors Program
  • University Retention

Also below the Provost is the Director, Institutional Research and Assessment

Divisions of AU

The leader of the division is the Vice President, Development and Alumni Relations. Below the Vice President is the Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations, whose office includes:

  • Alumni Communications
  • Alumni Outreach
  • Alumni Programs
  • Alumni Relations, SIS
  • Annual Giving

Also below the Vice President is the Assistant Vice President, Campaigns and Planning, whose office includes:

  • Research and Prospect Management
  • Stewardship and Donor Relations
  • Technology and Information Services

Also below the Vice President is the Assistant Vice President, Development - Schools and Colleges, whose office includes:

  • College Development (CAS, KSB, SOC, SIS, SPA)
  • Planned Giving

Also below the Vice President is the Director of Budget and Personnel.

Also below the Vice President is the Assistant Vice President, University Programs, whose office includes:

  • Athletics and Recreation Advancement
  • Library and Campus Initiatives 
  • Parent and Leadership Engagement
  • Provost's Initiatives 
  • Regional Advancement  

The leader of the division is the Director, Athletics and Recreation, who reports to the President. The direct reports to the Director of Athletics include:

  • Senior Associate AD, Business Operations
  • Senior AD, Sport Supervision
  • Associate AD, Communications
  • Associate AD, Compliance and Internal Operations
  • Associate AD, External Relations
  • Director, Recreational Sport and Fitness

The leader of the division is the Vice President of Campus Life. Below the Vice President is the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, whose office includes:

  • The Counseling Center
  • Orientation, Transition, and Retention
  • The Student Health Center
  • Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Services
  • The Wellness Center

Also below the Vice President is the Interim Assistant Vice President, Campus Life, whose office includes:

  • The Center for Community Engagement and Service
  • The Center for Diversity and Inclusion
  • The University Center and Student Activities 

Also below the Vice President is the Assistant Vice President, Campus Life

  • One Card and Dining
  • Housing and Residence Life
  • University Conference and Guest Services

Other Direct Reports

  • International Student and Scholar Services
  • Kay Spiritual Life Center
  • Title IX Office

The leader of the division is the Vice President, Communication. Below the Vice President is the Assistant Vice President, Communications and Media, whose office includes:

  • Media Relations
  • Online Content

Also below the Vice President is the Assistant Vice President, Marketing, whose office includes:

  • Brand Integration, Advertising, Client Service, Management
  • Digital Strategy Communications
  • University Video

Also below the Vice President is the Assistant Vice President, Publications, whose office includes:

  • Creative Design
  • Editorial and Content Strategy 
  • Production
  • UCM Administration

The leader of the division is the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer. Below the CFO is the Assistant Vice President, University Budget and Finance Resource Center, whose office includes:

  • Business Practice Improvement
  • The Finance Resource Center
  • Payroll
  • The University Budget

Also below the CFO is the Assistant Vice President, External Relations and Auxiliary Services, whose office includes:

  • Auxiliary Services and Commercial Real Estate
  • Finance Communications and Web
  • Local Government and Community Relations
  • Mail Services

Also below the CFO is the Assistant Vice President, Facilities Management, whose office includes:

  • AU Shuttle
  • Energy Management
  • Facilities Management
  • Housekeeping

Also below the CFO is the Assistant Vice President, Planning and Project Management:

  • Planning
  • Project Management
  • Sustainability

Also below the CFO is the Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, whose office includes:

  • Benefits and Wellness
  • The Child Development Center
  • Compensation
  • Employee Relations
  • Faculty/Staff Assistance
  • Learning and Development
  • Recruiting

Also below the CFO is the Assistant Vice President, Risk Management and Safety Services, whose office includes:

  • Environmental Health and Safety
  • Fire, Safety and Emergency Preparedness
  • Parking and Transportation 
  • Risk and Compliance Management

Also below the CFO is the Assistant Vice President, Treasury, whose office includes:

  • Procurement and Contracts
  • Student Accounts
  • Treasury Operations

Also below the CFO is the University Controller, whose office includes:

  • Accounting
  • Accounts Payable
  • Capital Accounting Reporting
Also below the CFO is the Executive Director, University Police and Emergency Management
  • Emergency Management
  • University Police

The leader of the division is Acting General Council. Below the Vice President and General Counsel is the Office of General Counsel.

The leader of the division is the Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Below the Chief Information Officer is the Associate Chief Information Officer, whose office includes:

  • Application Analysis and Development
  • Business Intelligence and Reporting
  • Enterprise Infrastructures 
  • Network Operations
  • Project Management
  • Web and Emerging Technologies

Also below the Chief Information Officer is the Senior Director, Customer Services and Support, whose office includes:

  • Help Desk and Technology Support Desk
  • IT Assets Management
  • Technical Support
  • Training and Performance Importance 
Also below the Chief Information Officer is the Chief Information Security Officer.

Explore the university's organizational chart
Download PDF

University Policies

Explore AU's policies, including policies on Confidentiality of Student Records, Drug Policy, and Alcohol and Other Drug Policies.

Browse Policies

Annual Report

AU's yearly summary of the university's accomplishments and formal record of the university's financial activities.

Learn more

Strategic Plan

American University is guided in our work by a strategic plan grounded on our statement of common purpose and structured around our ten transformational goals for the coming decade.

Learn more