You are here: American University Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees

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.

Recent News

Community Messages

Jonathan Alger named AU's 16th President

On behalf of the American University Board of Trustees, we are pleased to announce Jonathan (Jon) Alger as American University’s 16th president. Jon will join the AU community on July 1, 2024, when President Sylvia Burwell concludes seven years of changemaking impact and service. Jon comes to AU after serving for 12 years as president of James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Read the announcement, view the bio, and watch the video message from Jon Alger, AU's incoming president.

AU Board's Winter Meeting

The AU Board of Trustees winter 2024 meeting focused on four top university priorities—our work to support a safe community and a sense of belonging for our students, the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) financial aid and tuition budget, the Change Can’t Wait campaign, and the search for AU’s 16th president. The meeting concluded with a transformative moment for our community and our campus—the groundbreaking for the Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance. Read the community message and view highlights from the groundbreaking.

Trustee News

Trustee Margery Kraus and her company APCO Worldwide are spotlighted in Enterprising Women magazine (Winter 2023-24). Read article.

Trustee Alan Meltzer was named a 2023 Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine and is described as one of “[t]en locals who make our region an even better place”! Read more.

Presidential Search News

Changemakers for a Changing World

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.