After serving as American University President for two years, Jonathan Alger will be stepping down from his role on June 30 to pursue other opportunities, the University announced Wednesday.
In a university-wide email, Alger said that he would be leaving his role as president to become the first America 250 Fellow. This position was recently created by the American Council of Education and the American Association of Colleges and Universities, where Alger previously served as the board chair.
“I want to thank our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and community members for coming together in pursuit of a vision for a future AU that is stronger, more adaptable and more distinctive than ever,” Alger said in the statement. “Our work charted a clear and ambitious course, and I look forward to supporting the community from this unique national position.”
During his presidency, Alger founded The Civic Life Initiative to bring the University community together through constructive dialogue and civic engagement. Alger also helped open the Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance and secured the gift to name the Linda A. and H. Kent Baker School of Education.
Earlier in his career, Alger worked for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, served as senior vice president and general counsel at Rutgers University and as assistant general counsel at the University of Michigan. Just before coming to American University, Alger spent 12 years as the president of James Madison University.
In March of 2024, Alger replaced seven-year tenured Sylvia Burwell, becoming the University’s 16th president. The University achieved R1 status in that same year and rose 17 spots in the U.S News & World Report College rankings during his two-year term.
Most recently, Alger launched the University’s Meet Our Moment campaign, a new five-year strategic plan that prioritizes career readiness, community and curiosity. Parts of the initiative included an overhaul of the University’s core curriculum and the expansion of the honors program.
In his farewell message to students, Alger said that although the University has accomplished a great deal during his time as president, it did not come without some challenges.
Amid President Donald Trump’s administration’s slew of executive orders in 2024 and ongoing attacks on higher education institutions across the country, Alger said his new positions will allow him to continue to support “a vibrant, pluralistic democracy.”
“Two years ago when I joined AU, we could not have predicted the challenges that emerged to that vital mission,” Alger said. “As I contemplated how best to contribute in this pivotal moment, I was drawn to the opportunity to engage across the entire ecosystem.”
Now, David Marchick, the current Kogod School of Business dean, will serve as interim president beginning July 1 following his unanimous selection by the Board of Trustees. Marchick will continue to accelerate the implementation of the Meet Our Moment strategic plan, according to the board.
“A history major with public affairs and law degrees, [Marchick] combines a scholar’s curiosity with a record of results and a breadth of experience few can match,” Charlie Lydecker, chair of the AU Board of Trustees, said. “He has the full confidence of the board to lead American University in this important moment.”
During Marchick’s tenure as Kogod dean, the school raised $41 million over three and a half years, nearly five times the amount raised in the previous five years combined. Under his leadership, Poets&Quants named Kogod as the best AI program in the nation in December 2024.
Despite no longer being president, Alger said he will continue to support the University and its efforts — no matter what other challenges may lie ahead.
“We all recognize that this is a turbulent time for higher education, and that AU is not immune from the headwinds that are impacting colleges across the country,” Alger said. “I am confident, however, that the institution has charted a clear, ambitious course and will emerge as an even more dynamic, resilient and impactful university in the years to come.”
This article was edited by Matthias Jaylen Sandoval, Payton Anderson and Gabrielle McNamee. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman.
