October 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting Report

The American University of Rome’s Board of Trustees convened on October 9–10, 2024, in Washington, D.C., to review strategic initiatives aimed at fostering continued enrollment growth, academic and student-experience improvements, and a fundraising campaign to help finance the expansion of the AUR campus. The meeting also celebrated a milestone: welcoming the university’s largest-ever incoming class, with plans set for continued expansion. 

New Board Members 

The Board welcomed new trustees Kristin Gervasio, Mitch Henderson, Lauren Jolliffe, and John Dias. Both the President, Scott Sprenger, and Board Chair Tom McCarthy expressed praise for the new members, of whom two are AUR alumni. 

You can learn more about the new trustees on the AUR website. 

Strategic Planning

The board reviewed the strategic plan to assure that the university is achieving its strategic goals. The board also discussed the administration’s actions in response to Middle States Team Report from April 2024 and strategic partnerships that are under way. 

Campus Expansion and Housing 

In light of AUR’s growing enrollment, the campus expansion project remains a priority. Plans include expansion for more classrooms and offices, new spaces for specialized disciplines, housing and offices. The Board discussed long-term housing strategies to ensure adequate capacity for future growth, addressing Rome’s ongoing housing challenges. 

Advancement and Donor Engagement 

The Sr. Director of Advancement presented successful alumni and parent engagement efforts, including a recent alumni reunion in Rome. Discussed also was a plan for increasing donor engagement to support the campus expansion and improvements. The Board expressed support for these initiatives. 

Academic and Institutional Development   

The Board discussed the continuing improvements and refinements of AUR’s academic offerings, including an updated career-focused curriculum and ongoing faculty recruitment to meet rising student demand.