Presidential Search

The Board of Trustees of The American University of Paris has successfully completed an international search for its 13th President, and, on March 3, announced that Professor Sonya Stephens will succeed President Celeste M. Schenck.

Periodic updates will appear in this space through to the conclusion of this search.

• March 2022: Following a rigorous international search to find the 13th President of The American University of Paris, Professor Sonya Stephens has been appointed by the Board of Trustees to take on the role as of September 1, 2022.
• December 2021: The Presidential Search Committee has received several qualified applications for consideration and is engaged in the interview process. 
• October 2021: Candidate sourcing and outreach is in full swing. The Board’s Search Committee appreciates your active interest. It encourages the AUP community – faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters – to send suggestions to Isaacson, Miller.
• September 2021: Search launched
• July to September 2021: AUP Community Listening Sessions conducted
• June, 2021: Presidential Search Committee formed / Isaacson, Miller retained
• May, 2021: President Schenck decision announced

• Doris Daughney, Chair, Board of Trustees
• Achim Klüber (AUP ’77), Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
• John Klein, Treasurer, Board of Trustees
• Barbara Reno, Secretary, Board of Trustees
• Jacqueline Routier (AUP ’94), Trustee
• Elena Berg, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Math & Environmental Science
• Stephen Sawyer, Ballantine-Levitt Professor of History and Politics
• Valerie Fodé, Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration and COO
• Tim Rogers, Vice President and Director of Enrollment Management

AUP Board Charge to the Presidential Search Committee

Isaacson, Miller is the executive search firm assisting with the presidential search at AUP. Isaacson, Miller is a leader in higher education executive search and is known for its ability to identify and recruit executive-level leaders with exceptional talent and diverse backgrounds. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. For more details, and to submit inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, please see the Isaacson, Miller website. Electronic submission of materials is required.