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| To the American University community:
As we near the end of President Alger’s term, let me thank him again for his leadership and many contributions to AU.
Since the announcement of my interim role on May 27, I have been struck by the talent and energy across our campus and by a shared conviction that our academic mission changes lives and addresses important societal challenges. In my numerous discussions with students, staff, and faculty, I have also found a strong desire to ensure our university operates more effectively in support of our academic mission, faculty excellence, best-in-class teaching, and a robust student experience. Change provides the opportunity to do both. As we move ahead in these critical pursuits together, I am sharing several leadership updates and related structural changes designed to help further our momentum. Since these changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, when I succeed President Alger, I am communicating them to you as incoming interim president.
Student Affairs
As part of our focus on the student experience, we will integrate AU’s student affairs function with academic affairs. Universities organize themselves in many ways—the structure we will embrace mirrors Stanford, Duke, Johns Hopkins, and other universities with a thriving student life. This integration also eliminates a Vice President role.
To lead this newly organized function, we have turned to Dr. Dayne Hutchinson, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, who will become Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs—a role that will function as the chief student affairs officer, and report to Provost Vicky Wilkins. In this role, Dayne will work closely with all campus partners to advance a holistic student experience from orientation through graduation.
Dr. Raymond Ou, Vice President for Student Affairs, will depart the university at the end of the month. Over the past three years, Raymond has advanced a student-centered vision for the university experience. His leadership has included implementation of the new two-year residency requirement, work to foster belonging, and the expansion of student-oriented resources, including the opening of the Well-Being Corner. Presidents Burwell, Alger, and I want to thank Raymond for his leadership and steadfast commitment to student success, belonging, well-being, and the overall student experience at AU.
My own journey was shaped profoundly by student life staff in college. Outside of my parents, two of the people who changed my life more than anyone else were the student affairs team at my university (read more here); our student affairs team changes lives for the better every day. Like me, Dayne’s appreciation for student affairs was formed when he was Vice President of the student body at Florida State University. After completing his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska, he joined the student affairs staff there before continuing this work at Nova Southeastern University. Since joining American University more than three years ago, Dayne has become a trusted leader, a mentor to students, and an energetic supporter of student organizations, bringing extensive expertise in building programs, partnerships, and communities that help students thrive.
Communications and Marketing
Matt Bennett, Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, will leave AU to become Chief Marketing Officer at NobleReach Foundation. A double eagle, Matt has served AU and two presidents with distinction for seven years, steering the university through numerous challenges, two strategic plans, and major milestones. He expanded internal communications during the COVID pandemic and enhanced the university’s digital presence and engagement. For the past two years, he also led our Community and Government Relations function, charting the university’s path through the most significant policy and political changes higher education has experienced in decades. Presidents Alger, Burwell, and I are grateful for Matt’s contributions and wish him every success.
Katya Popova, who has led Kogod’s Marketing and Communications for the past nine years, will succeed Matt as Interim Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. Katya is among the most talented marketing and brand experts with whom I have worked. Under her leadership, Kogod earned national recognition, posted record enrollment, and achieved the highest rankings in the school’s history. Katya brings extraordinary creativity, tireless work ethic, and strategic acumen to the role.
We will use this transition to sharpen how we tell AU’s story and highlight faculty research, extraordinary teaching, staff impact, and the success of our students. One of my four priorities focuses on better communicating what makes American University distinctive—to our own community and the wider world. Under Katya’s leadership, our communications and marketing work will bring a laser focus to elevating the very best of AU, grounded in a culture of service to our academic mission.
To enable Katya and the marketing and communications team to focus exclusively on raising AU’s profile and strengthening its appeal to students, our government and community affairs team will now report to Sarah Baldassaro, Chief of Staff and Counselor to the President. Emilie Surrusco will take on a more active role driving presidential communications, further enabling the marketing and communications team to focus on championing AU’s story.
We recognize that leadership transitions, even purposeful ones, raise questions and create uncertainty. Our goal is to strengthen and improve decision-making, empower faculty and staff, and further enhance an already outstanding student experience, while applying our precious resources toward investments that will continue to make a difference for our future.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and to the mission we share.
Sincerely,
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| Dave Marchick
Incoming Interim President
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