In January 2019, American University unveiled its bold vision for the future. Changemakers for a Changing World is a living document that embodies our commitment to catalyzing impact-driven scholarship and teaching, fostering intellectual curiosity, supporting student thriving, enhancing people-focuses initiatives, and empowering lives of purpose, service, and leadership.

Over the last five years, our world-class faculty, dedicated staff, extraordinary students, and accomplished alumni—changemakers all—have answered the call to action, advancing AU’s strategic priorities and generating momentum that will propel the institution through the next two-year accelerator phase to complete the plan in 2025. 

Together, we have achieved myriad milestones across the strategic pillars of scholarship, learning, and community. Over the last five years, the AU community has:

• Doubled externally funded research to $177 million.
• Launched or named four signature research centers.
• Endowed eight faculty positions.
• Invested $109 million in the Student Thriving Complex.
• Created or expanded 150-plus scholarships.
• Enrolled 37 Washingtonians as District Scholars.
• Established more than 230 experiential learning opportunities.
• Raised 92 percent of our $500 million Change Can’t Wait Goal.

This work also represents the culmination of President Burwell’s changemaking tenure. AU’s 15th president arrived on campus at a moment when the university was building on its strengths to expand its impact in Washington, DC, the nation, and the world. Under her leadership, our global community of changemakers—150,000 strong—has pushed AU to ever greater heights.

Released this week, Five Years of Impact: A Look at AU’s Changemaking Work, chronicles the totality of our efforts and highlights the people who have positioned the university for an even brighter future.

“As you read through story after story of our community’s incredible accomplishments, you will see that when we combine clarity of mission, learning, scholarship, community, a passion for changemaking, and great people with a recognition and appreciation for the significant shifts happening in our world, we can make dramatic progress—even amid challenging times,” Burwell said. 

Read Five Years of Impact and join in the work.