Seth Grossman Chief of Staff
Seth currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Counselor to the President of American University and as an adjunct professor of law at AU's Washington College of Law. Seth previously served as the …
Contact Us
President's Office Building, Room 1
Office of the President 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8060 United StatesWelcome to the President's Office
The staff in the President's Office serve as a liaison between various constituencies (students, parents, faculty, neighbors, alumni) and the university administration. The office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The building once served as the residence for American University's chancellors (later called presidents). The building was completed in 1925 and is a reproduction of the Macey House, built in 1854 on Nantucket Island. The building stands in what was the front yard of the General Murdock Home-The Old Farmhouse-which originally stood on this property.
We welcome your questions and comments at president@american.edu.
President's Office Staff
Brian Chiglinsky Deputy Chief of Staff
Brian Chiglinsky joined the Office of the President in October 2017 as the president's speechwriter. He previously advised on policy and communications at Aledade, Inc., a health care company that par…
Edward Fisher AVP, Community & Government Relations
Sherri Kum Administrative Coordinator
Sherri Kum joined American University June 2018 to provide direct support to the Chief of Staff & Counselor to the President and to the Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Sherri has more than 20 year…
Leslie Wong Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Leslie Wong prepares event briefings for the president and board chair, provides support for special projects, and investigates student issues on the president's behalf. She also oversees Board of Tru…
Office of Special Events
The Office of Special Events is located on the sixth floor of Butler Pavilion. They provide support and logistical assistance for a variety of university-wide events and can provide guidance on vendors, site selection, catering, protocol, and more.
Lisa Arakaki Senior Director of Special Events
Lisa Arakaki works closely with campus partners to coordinate large-scale events including commencement, All-American Weekend, Staff Appreciation, Celebrate AU, and the Faculty-Staff Holiday Party. In…
