Gerardo della Paolera, President of The American University of Paris (AUP), will be stepping down on October 1, 2008.

Since assuming the presidency of AUP in 2002, and with three major strategic imperatives in mind – academic reputation, scope, and scale – President della Paolera designed and implemented a set of initiatives to transform the institution from a fine American liberal arts college, with its extraordinary mix of multicultural students and faculty, into a top-notch University. With over 1,000 students, the University is now on the road of great scholarship, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, and outreach.

From his letter to the AUP Community announcing his departure, President della Paolera said: "During the six years of my tenure, many bold initiatives were taken to begin to transform AUP…. The core business of a University is educational and intellectual, and by raising our academic and intellectual profile AUP has become more active within European and international academic circles."

Thomas Hardy, Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The American University of Paris, paid tribute to President della Paolera's vision and leadership in his message to the Community: "[His] impact has been to transform AUP in terms of its visibility and self-confidence. We are no longer the best kept secret in Paris, and we have a far keener sense of who we are and who we can be." Hardy cites the recent Faculty Senate's laudation of President della Paolera whose many initiatives at AUP over his six-year tenure "…leave a powerful legacy and one that we will never forget."

Upon stepping down on October 1, 2008 and until the end of March 2010, Gerardo della Paolera will carry the distinguished title of President Emeritus and Professor of Economics at The American University of Paris.

A Search Committee has been appointed and is currently conducting a worldwide search for President della Paolera's succession.