Resilience, Leadership, and Global Perspective: A Conversation with AUR's President
- AUR Rome
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 14
An interview with AUR"s President Scott Sprenger by by Adriana Caló, Professional Women's Association (Rome).
Q. Can you describe your career path and how it led you to your current position?
A. “Career path” may not be the right term, as mine has zigged and zagged unexpectedly—across roles, sectors, and countries—as compelling opportunities emerged. I began by studying French literature, a field not known as a successful career path. And yet, here I am: president of a university in Rome—a city, culture, and language I knew little about before arriving nearly five years ago.
So, there’s no direct line between my academic background and my current role, and that’s more common than people realize. A New York Federal Reserve study found that about 75% of college graduates end up in careers unrelated to their majors. Some might find that unsettling—I find it liberating. It means students don’t need to feel trapped in a field they’re not passionate about just to secure a job.
One of my favorite career books, You Majored in What?, makes a similar case: that most career journeys are nonlinear, and that a liberal arts education provides strong preparation for navigating a rapidly changing job market.
Q. What are some significant achievements in your career that you are particularly proud of?
A. When I was offered the presidency at The American University of Rome (AUR), the search firm pointed out a theme in my leadership career of which I was not fully aware: stepping into difficult situations and helping turn them around.
I began my role at AUR during the height of COVID-19, when the university was facing a severe financial crisis due to low enrollment. Just a few years later, we’ve reached the highest enrollment in AUR’s history. We’ve also signed an agreement with the Vatican that will allow us to double the size of our campus and marking a major turning point.
Q. What are some career or leadership lessons you have learned that you would like to pass on to others?
A. Leadership, to me, is not about titles or authority—it’s about working collaboratively with colleagues to solve problems and make meaningful improvements. It’s about showing up with a positive attitude in the face of challenges, staying focused on long-term goals despite short-term obstacles, and doing your best work at every level.
Ironically, I never imagined becoming a university president when I was studying literature as an undergraduate. Yet over time, I’ve come to realize that the most fulfilling part of my career has been driven by an impulse to work toward making things better—for students, for institutions, and for the broader community.
Q. Have you encountered gender-specific challenges in your company/university and how have you addressed them?
A. Yes. I’ve seen highly qualified women passed over for leadership roles they clearly deserved, and I’ve identified unacceptable pay disparities disadvantaging women. In the first case, I made it clear to leadership that the decision appeared to be influenced by bias. In the second, I was in a position of authority and used it to correct the inequity. These are not just issues of fairness—they are matters of institutional integrity.
Q. What are you most proud of in your personal or professional life, and why?
A. I’m proud of having built a life and career that reflect my values—even when the path has been unconventional. Living and working across different countries, adapting to unfamiliar cultures, and building connections across borders has been deeply meaningful.
On a personal level, I’m especially proud of the partnership my wife and I formed in raising our daughter. Through mutual support, shared responsibilities, and a deep commitment to both family and career, we’ve worked together to raise a thoughtful, independent, and successful young woman. Striking that balance between professional ambition and being deeply involved as parents has been one of life’s greatest challenges—and one of its most rewarding accomplishments.
Q. Looking back, what is one piece of advice you would give to women starting out in their career?
A. Don’t wait until you feel “ready” to take the next step. Often, confidence follows action—not the other way around. Take risks, advocate for yourself, and trust that you can grow into new roles. You are capable of more than you think.
Q. What are some of the biggest challenges you are facing now?
A. Navigating higher education in a time of global political uncertainty and market volatility is one of the biggest challenges we face. We're also working to keep our academic offerings relevant in an evolving job market, while remaining grounded in our liberal arts mission. Balancing innovation with tradition— and sustainability with access—is a constant, complex effort.
Q. Can you share a bit of your company’s mission and core values?
A. Our mission is to provide a transformative, globally focused education that prepares students to lead with purpose and integrity. We value intellectual curiosity, intercultural understanding, equity, and a commitment to the common good. From curriculum design to campus life, everything we do is aimed at developing thoughtful, ethical, and globally minded citizens.
Q. How does your mission align with PWA?
A. We share a deep commitment to empowering women, advancing equity, and nurturing inclusive leadership. Like PWA, we believe in the power of mentorship, community, and lifelong learning to help women grow personally and professionally. Our missions are beautifully aligned in both spirit and action.
Q. Why would an abroad student choose your school over any other university?
A. We offer something truly unique: a rigorous academic education in the heart of Rome, coupled with a strong global perspective and an intimate, diverse campus community. Our students benefit from small class sizes, close relationships with faculty, and the transformative experience of living in one of the world’s most fascinating cities. It’s not just an education—it’s an adventure.
Q. What word sums you up, and why?
A. Resilience. Because in both life and leadership, it’s essential to stay calm and focused amid uncertainty, and to keep moving forward—with purpose, clarity, and curiosity.
