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Dear AU faculty and staff,

In conjunction with incoming Interim President Dave Marchick, I am writing to share several leadership updates. 

First, General Counsel Traevena Byrd will conclude eight years at American University and become general counsel at George Washington University. Traevena has been in discussions with GW for several months about this role. As you know, Traevena has been an important leader at AU, advised two presidents and the Board of Trustees, and helped guide the university through a number of challenging issues. During her AU tenure, Traevena updated critical policies and procedures and enhanced board operations. She developed legal frameworks for our COVID safety measures and constructed the university policy development process and library. Traevena’s last day is July 7. We wish her well in this new challenge.

Additionally, we are announcing two interim leadership appointments.

Jeremy Lowe will serve as interim vice president of enrollment management effective June 15. Jeremy brings 14 years of experience at American University and a deep understanding of our enrollment strategy. As assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions, he has provided strategic recruitment and enrollment leadership while driving important initiatives such as the Salesforce CRM transition and the Early Action application plan. In this interim role, Jeremy will join the president’s cabinet and report to me and then to Interim President Marchick beginning in July.

Elaine Crosson, an experienced higher education lawyer who previously worked with us on legal matters and the former general counsel at Fordham University, will join us as interim general counsel in July. Across more than 25 years in higher education, Elaine held leadership positions at Long Island University (where she served as general counsel) and Stony Brook University. She is highly skilled in university legal operations and will be a valued partner in AU’s work.

Concurrently, the university will begin national searches for our next permanent general counsel and vice president of undergraduate enrollment management. Additional information about the search processes will be shared in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Alger,
President, American University