Administrative Leadership
The president's council is composed of members of the:
- President's Cabinet (Provost and Vice Presidents)
- Academic Deans and Librarian (Academic Leadership)
- Other Senior Administrators
The president's council meets once a month to discuss issues of importance to the university community. A copy of the AU organizational chart is available online.
President's Cabinet
Sylvia Burwell President
Sylvia Burwell became American University's fifteenth and first female president on June 1, 2017. She leads an institution of nearly 13,000 students, 1,300 teaching and administrative faculty, and 2,500 staff.
Daniel J. Myers Provost
As provost, Dan Myers is American University’s chief academic officer. He is responsible for the guiding vision and leadership of the university's academic affairs.
Fanta Aw Vice President, Campus Life & Inclusive Excellence
Fanta Aw and the Campus Life staff work to integrate students into a diverse university community; promote their intellectual, social, and spiritual development; and in collaboration with the faculty, prepare students for lifelong learning and global citizenship.
Matthew Bennett Vice President & Chief Communications Officer
Matthew Bennett oversees the university's official communications areas: University Communication, including the Media Relations and Web Communications offices; University Marketing; and University Publications.
Traevena Byrd VICE PRESIDENT, General Counsel & BOARD SECRETARY
Traevena Byrd oversees the Office of the General Counsel and serves as Secretary to the Board of Trustees. The attorneys within the Office of the General Counsel provide, manage, and coordinate all legal services for the university.
Seth Grossman Chief of Staff
Seth Grossman is responsible for community & government relations, strategic plan implementation, and management of the Office of the President. He also oversees the Office of Human Resources and WAMU.
Doug KudravetzChief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer
Doug Kudravetz oversees the overall financial and investment management of the university. His executive responsibilities also include controllership and treasury operations, student accounts, procurement and contracts, budget and payroll, capital and facilities planning, facilities management, sustainability, external relations, auxiliary services, public safety, risk management, transportation services, and internal audit.
Courtney SurlsVice President, Development and Alumni Relations
Courtney Surls works with the university leadership, alumni, and donors to support AU's strategic priorities, attract new funding, and build lifelong relationships between AU and more than 115,000 alumni.
David Swartz Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Since joining AU in 2007, Dave Swartz has worked to bring best practices and strong leadership to AU's Office of Information Technology, which provides central support for the university's computing and telecommunications needs. Recognized by Computerworld as a "Best Place to Work in IT" for 2013, OIT performs four distinctive service functions: IT Customer Services and Support, Enterprise Systems, Information Security, and Technology Operations.
WILLIAM WALKER DIRECTOR, ATHLETICS AND RECREATION
Billy Walker oversees AU's athletics teams, intramural and club sports, and recreation programs. The Eagles compete in the Patriot League, which emphasizes athletics and academic competitiveness.
Mary Clark Deputy Provost and Dean of Faculty
Mark Clark works with the provost and academic units to recruit and retain faculty, develop academic programs, support faculty research and teaching, and engage in the intellectual mission of the university.
Wendy Boland Interim Dean of Graduate Studies
Wendy Boland works with the deans to develop AU’s strategy related to ensuring robust enrollment in graduate programs, planning for the future of graduate learning, and solidifying the university’s strong reputation for graduate study.
Christine Chin Dean, School of International Service
Christine Chin, an expert on the political economy of transnational migration, Southeast Asian studies and intercultural relations, is interim dean of the School of International Service. The School of International Service is the largest school of international relations in the United States and is training future leaders to "wage peace" around the world.
Nancy Davenport University Librarian
The university library, headed by Nancy Davenport, serves as a gateway to AU's print resources and electronic information and supports student and faculty research.
John T. Delaney Dean, Kogod School of Business
John T. Delaney became dean of the Kogod School of Business on July 18, 2016. He is a noted scholar in the fields of negotiation, dispute resolution, and labor-management relations. He comes to AU from the University of Pittsburgh where, as dean, he increased enrollment, improved student quality, grew annual fundraising, and surpassed the school's $50 million capital campaign goal a year ahead of schedule.
Laura DeNardis Interim Dean, School of Communication
Laura DeNardis directs and develops the School of Communication's academic and professional programs in Journalism, Film and Media Arts and Public Communication.
Cheryl Holcomb-Mccoy Dean, School of Education
Dr. Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy joined AU in 2016 as the Dean of the School of Education. In concert with her colleagues in the College of Arts and Sciences, she concentrates her efforts on recruiting and supporting a more research-active and diverse faculty, developing outstanding new curricula in education, and building bridges to school districts and education industries around the globe.
Sarah Irvine Belson Interim Vice Provost for Research
Sarah Irvine Belson supports the faculty in building the influence and impact of AU’s scholarship and oversees the functions of research innovation and administration, including the offices of sponsored programs, research compliance, and university-wide centers.
Jill Klein Interim Dean, School of Professional and Extended Studies
Jill Klein leads the School of Professional and Extended Studies (SPExS), which includes the Washington Semester Program, Washington Internships for Native Students, the Washington Mentorship Program, and the Graduate Gateway Program.
Camille A. Nelson Dean, Washington College of Law
Camille A. Nelson, an expert on the intersection of critical race theory and cultural studies, is dean of the Washington College of Law. In 2015, she completed a five-year term as dean of Suffolk University Law School in Boston, where she led the creation of the school's first strategic plan, increased diversity, and achieved success in fundraising, grant writing, and program and partnership development.
Peter Starr Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Peter Starr oversees the College of Arts and Sciences, which offers more than 150 majors, minors, master's, PhDs, and certificate programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences, and education.
Jessica Waters Vice Provost, Undergraduate Studies
Jessica Waters leads Undergraduate Studies. Her office oversees the undergraduate living learning communities and the university's general education program. She also provides academic leadership on undergraduate curricular development and reform, and oversees implementation of the university's academic regulations and policies.
Vicky M. Wilkins Dean, School of Public Affairs
Vicky M. Wilkins leads the School of Public Affairs, a nationally top-ranked school offering education in the fields of political science, public administration, public policy, and justice at the graduate, executive and undergraduate levels.
Raina Lenney Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving
Raina Lenney is responsible for advancing the mission of the university through programs, benefits, and services designed to engage AU's alumni constituency.
Beth Muha Assistant Vice President of Human Resources
Beth Muha is responsible for overseeing American University's Office of Human Resources.