Five-Year Strategic Plan
Our strategic plan is organized into three strategic themes — scholarship, learning, and community — with key imperatives to guide our focused efforts.
Safeguarding the University's assets and fostering its capacity to serve others
Since its founding in 1893, American University has benefited greatly from the devotion, service, intellectual contributions, ethical behavior, and philanthropy of many thousands of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends.
In a very real sense, they also are "trustees" of the institutions by virtue of their dedication, affection, and generosity that help to ensure that the University will faithfully serve this and future generations. Those of us who have been chosen to serve as fiduciary trustees for a period of time—to safeguard the University's assets and to foster its capacity to serve others—enthusiastically and without reservation accept the following additional responsibilities as evidence of the commitment of each trustee. Read the Trustees' Statement of Commitment.
With pride and gratitude, the American University Board of Trustees voted on September 5 to officially close Change Can't Wait: The Campaign for American University. The campaign, surpassing the ambitious goal set more than seven years ago, raised more than $507 million to transform our community and build AU's bright future. Read more.
The Board of Trustees meeting on May 16-17 focused on three key strategic areas--the Change Can't Wait fundraising campaign, enrollment, and proposed updates to university policies supporting campus climate and belonging. Read more.
Following approval of the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) tuition and fees in February, the Board of Trustees met April 5, 2024 to approve the FY25 budget. The budget aligns resources, invests in people, and provides a framework for the FY26-27 two-year budget. Read the community message.
The Board of Trustees announced that Jonathan (Jon) Alger will serve as American University’s 16th president, effective July 1, 2024. Read the announcement, learn more, and watch President-Elect Alger's video message.
Board Chair Gina F. Adams named FedEx's Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, effective September 24, 2024. Read the announcement.
Our strategic plan is organized into three strategic themes — scholarship, learning, and community — with key imperatives to guide our focused efforts.