American University is a leader among Washington DC universities in global education. American University enrolls a diverse student body from throughout the United States and nearly 140 countries.

Education

American University

Dr. Fanta Aw is Vice President of Campus Life & Inclusive Excellence at [American University](/org/american-university) in Washington, D.C. The mission of the Office of Campus Life is to integrate students into a diverse learning community; promote their intellectual, social, and spiritual development; and, in collaboration with the faculty, prepare students for lifelong learning and global citizenship. Aw provides senior executive leadership for 15 departments in Campus Life. She has spent 25 years in higher education administration, most recently as Assistant Vice President of Campus Life. 

Aw is responsible for leading, coordinating, monitoring, and assessing institutional work related to AU's Plan for Inclusive Excellence. She works collaboratively with the vice presidents, provost, and deans to ensure institutional strategic goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are met. Aw serves as a member of the President's Cabinet and reports directly to the President. She advises university leadership on matters related to campus internationalization, issues of inclusion, diversity and equity, and student engagement.

Aw is also the School of International Service’s Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer; she teaches graduate courses related to immigration, internationalization of higher education, and international higher education policy. She is the 2013 recipient of the University Award for Outstanding Teaching in an Adjunct Position.

Aw served as President and Chair of the Board of Directors of NAFSA, the largest membership association of international educators with close to 10,000 members. Aw has led workshops and training for numerous organizations, including the Department of State, the Institute of International Education, AMIDEAST, the College Board, and NAFSA.

Aw has been interviewed by major global media outlets including CNN, Agence France Press, [USA Today](/org/usa-today), Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, ABC World News Tonight, CNN, National Public Radio, Middle East Broadcast Corporation, Future TV Beirut, Voice of America, Washington Business Journal, WAMU, Radio France International, Channel 9 CBS, Tajikistan TV, KSA2 -Saudi Arabian, English-language TV, Washington Diplomat, Sichuan TV, Chengdu TV, Sichuan Daily, Chengdu Daily, Huaxi Daily, Chengdu Commercial Daily, Chengdu Evening Daily, Xinhua News, China News Service, Guangdong TV, Guanzhou TV, Guanzhou Daily, and China Daily.


Fanta Aw

Eileen Creighton

Bárbara Santos

Michael W. Kempner is the Founder & CEO of MikeWorldWide, New York, NY. 

Michael W. Kempner

Byrd's career in higher education began at the [University of Iowa](/org/university-of-iowa), where she served as an assistant director of admissions, and was followed by her appointment as the director of the Commission on the Status of African-Americans for the State of Iowa Department of Human Rights. She previously worked as associate general counsel at [Ithaca College](/org/ithaca-college) in Ithaca, New York, where she regularly taught a civil rights seminar as an adjunct faculty member. As Towson's chief legal officer, she currently manages the university's legal affairs, serves as legal advisor to the president and university executive officers, and acts as the liaison to the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.

Byrd received both her B.A. and J.D. from the [University of Iowa](/org/university-of-iowa). She is a past member of the board of directors for the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) and currently serves on the accreditation commission for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). She is a frequent presenter on the subject of free expression on campuses, and currently serves as a member of the steering committee for the American Council on Education's Campus Inclusion and Free Expression Project and as the chair of NACUA's 2018 conference on Free Speech and Campus Unrest.

Byrd is also a frequent presenter for a variety of higher education associations, including NACUA, American Council on Education (ACE), [National Association of College and University Business Officers](/org/national-association-of-college-and-university-business-officers) (NACUBO), and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA).

Traevena Byrd

Peter Starr joined [American University](/org/american-university) as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in July 2009. In this role, he is responsible for 324 full-time faculty in 17 departments, 1820 undergraduate majors, 979 graduate students and over 40% of all enrollments at AU. His primary goals for the College include recruiting and supporting a more research-active and diverse faculty, growing the College’s endowment, developing outstanding new curricula in a variety of fields, and building bridges to partner organizations in the District and around the globe. Before coming to AU, Dean Starr was a professor of French and Comparative Literature at the [University of Southern California](/org/university-of-southern-california), where—except for a fellowship year at [Harvard University](/org/harvard)—he had taught since 1985. In 2006-2007, he served as interim Dean of USC’s College of Letters, Arts, and Science, completing the College’s four year senior hiring initiative and raising a then-record amount toward the College’s $400M campaign goal. 

Peter Starr

Hani M.S. Farsi is the CEO of Corniche Group, Ltd., London, England

Hani M.S. Farsi

Alan L. Meltzer is the CEO & Founder of NFP | [The Meltzer Group](/org/the-meltzer-group), Bethesda, MD. 

Alan L. Meltzer

Sylvia M. Burwell is [American University](/org/american-university)'s 15th president and the first woman to serve as president. A visionary leader with experience in the public and private sectors, President Burwell brings to [American University](/org/american-university) a commitment to education and research, the ability to manage large and complex organizations, and experience helping to advance solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Burwell joined AU on June 1, 2017, succeeding Neil Kerwin.

Burwell has held two cabinet positions in the United States government. She served as the 22nd secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services from 2014 to 2017. During her tenure, she managed a trillion-dollar department that includes the [National Institutes of Health](/org/national-institutes-of-health), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, and the Medicaid and Medicare programs; oversaw the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act; and led the department’s responses to the Ebola and Zika outbreaks. Before that, she served as the director of the Office of Management and Budget, working with Congress to negotiate a two-year budget deal following the 2013 government shutdown. In both roles she was known as a leader who worked successfully across the aisle and focused on delivering results for the American people.

Her additional government experience is extensive and includes roles as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, deputy chief of staff to the president, chief of staff to the secretary of the Treasury, and special assistant to the director of the National Economic Council.

Burwell has held leadership positions at two of the largest foundations in the world. She served 11 years at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, including roles as the chief operating officer and president of the Global Development Program. She then served as president of the Walmart Foundation and ran its global Women’s Economic Empowerment efforts. Her private sector experience includes service on the Board of Directors of MetLife.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Government from Harvard University and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

A second-generation Greek American, Burwell is a native of Hinton, West Virginia. She and her husband Stephen Burwell are the parents of two young children.

Sylvia Burwell

Steve Munson is [American University](/org/american-university)’s Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Steve has worked across a diverse range of technologies, industries, and organizations as both a consultant and as a technology executive in higher education.

Prior to joining [American University](/org/american-university), Steve was the Chief Information Officer at [Marymount University](/org/marymount-university) in Arlington, Virginia for seven years. While at Marymount, Steve led several major technology initiatives including launch of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and a new Learning Management System, as well as overseeing significant upgrades to the university network and telecommunications infrastructure.

Steve previously worked in the [American University](/org/american-university) Office of Information Technology (OIT) as the Director of Integrated Technology Solutions from 2010-2013. Steve started his career as a consultant with [Accenture](/org/accenture) and The North Highland Company, and in addition to helping clients in higher education, he has worked in the telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and health care services industries. Steve earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from [Vanderbilt University](/org/vanderbilt-university) and lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and two children.

Steve Munson

Matthew D. Bennett, SPA/BA ’00 and SPA/MA ’01, is [American University](/org/american-university)’s vice president and chief communications officer. Before joining AU, Matt was executive vice president, global communications at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). He served on the senior leadership team and led MPAA’s worldwide communications enterprise, providing strategic counsel and support to the organization’s policy, legal, and content protection operations. He managed the announcement of the MPAA's new chairman and chief executive officer and the addition of MPAA's first new member in decades, oversaw the 50th anniversary celebration of the iconic MPAA movie ratings, and transformed the organization's digital operation.

Prior to joining MPAA in 2016, Matt was senior vice president and managing director of the District of Columbia office for [Racepoint Global](/org/racepoint-global), an international public relations firm. He previously served as senior vice president of communications and public affairs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), where he led all internal and external communications and conducted a comprehensive rebranding effort for the association. Matt also held senior positions at [Golin](/org/golin)Harris (now [Golin](/org/golin)), leading major client relationships including [Kaiser Permanente](/org/kaiser-permanente) and [Olympus](/org/olympus) for the global PR agency.

With 20 years of experience in strategic communications, issues management, and brand development, Bennett has designed and implemented comprehensive campaigns focused on advancing business and policy priorities, developing thought leadership platforms, and building trusted connections with influencers and key audiences.

Bennett received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from [American University](/org/american-university). He lives in Virginia with his wife and daughter.


Matthew Bennett

Matthew S. Pittinsky

Sarah Baldassaro

Brontè Burleigh-Jones

David Trone

Jeffrey A. Sine is a Partner at The Raine Group LLC, New York, NY. 

Jeffrey A. Sine

Maria Otero is the Former Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights at [U.S. Department of State](/org/department-of-state), Washington, DC. 

Maria Otero

Korey Neal Sr. is the President of K. Neal Truck and Bus Center, Hyattsville, MD. 

Korey Neal Sr.

Betsy A. Mangone

Maril Gagen MacDonald is the CEO and Founder of Gagen MacDonald, Chicago, IL. 

Maril Gagen MacDonald

Charles H. Lydecker is the CEO at Foundation Risk Partners, Daytona Beach, FL. 

Charles H. Lydecker

Fernando Lewis Navarro is the Executive President at Grupo Mundial, Panama City, Panama. 

Fernando Lewis Navarro

Gerald Bruce Lee is a retired Judge of United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria, VA. 

Gerald Bruce Lee

Margery Kraus is the Founder & Executive Chairman at [APCO Worldwide](/org/apco-worldwide), Washington, DC. 

Margery Kraus

Mehdi Heravi is a former professor and author based in Washington, DC.

Mehdi Heravi

Pamela M. Deese is a Partner at Arent Fox PLLC, Washington, DC. 

Pamela M. Deese

Jack C. Cassell is the President of Cassell Global Investments, Jupiter, FL. 

Jack C. Cassell

Wesley G. Bush is the Former Chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation, McLean, VA. 

Wesley G. Bush

Stephanie M. Bennett-Smith is the President Emerita at Centenary College, Hackettstown, NJ. 

Stephanie M. Bennett-Smith

Michael Balmuth is the Chairman of the Board and Senior Advisor at Ross Stores, Inc., Dublin, CA. 

Michael Balmuth

Janice Menke Abraham is President & CEO of United Educators, Bethesda, MD. 

Janice Menke Abraham

Gina F. Adams is the Senior Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs of FedEx Corporation, Washington, DC. 

Gina F. Adams

Marc N. Duber is the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of [The Bernstein Companies](/org/the-bernstein-companies), Washington, DC. 

Marc N. Duber

William Walker

Courtney Surls

Seth currently serves as the Vice President of People and External Affairs and Counselor to the President of [American University](/org/american-university) and as an adjunct professor of law at AU's Washington College of Law. At AU, Seth supervises the university’s offices of human resources, government and community relations, strategic planning, equity and Title IX, and special events. He also oversees WAMU 88.5 FM.

Seth previously served as the Chief of Staff to the President of the [University of California](/org/regents-of-the-university-of-california) system, serving as the UC President’s top executive in the operation and administration of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three affiliated national laboratories, a statewide agriculture and natural resources program, and an operating budget of more than $31 billion. In this role, Seth managed an array of legal, operational, financial, policy, communications, and strategic issues throughout the UC system. While at UC, Seth also chaired UC’s Global Food Initiative, led the development of UC’s Public Service Law Fellowship Program, co-led negotiations and implementation of a long-term budget framework with the Governor of California, and spearheaded the creation of UC’s first systemwide Title IX office. He also taught immigration law and policy at the UC Berkeley School of Law.

Seth previously served as Deputy General Counsel and Counselor to the Secretary at the [U.S. Department of Homeland Security](/org/the-department-of-homeland-security) (DHS). As Counselor, Seth was a top advisor to the Secretary and senior DHS leadership on matters related to immigration, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties, including serving as co-lead for DHS on the development of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and comprehensive immigration reform in 2012-13. As Deputy General Counsel, Seth oversaw all significant litigation at DHS, including in the U.S. Supreme Court, other federal courts, and state courts. Seth also directed all rulemaking and other regulatory work conducted at DHS, coordinated with the Office of Management and Budget and other executive agencies on significant regulatory matters, and oversaw all immigration-related legal work conducted at DHS.

Prior to joining DHS, Seth worked in private practice, where his work focused on appellate litigation and election law.

Following graduation from law school, Seth clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Guido Calabresi of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Seth received his B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from Yale Law School.


Seth Grossman

Barbara dos Santos

American University's CEO and Executive Team includes Brontè Burleigh-Jones and 3 others.

CEO and Executive Team

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Other teams at American University

Board of Directors

Leadership Team

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