The American University (AU) announced that this will be the last year of Sylvia Burwell as president of the institution.
In a video posted on AU’s Instagram page, Burwell, the first woman to hold the university’s presidency, said she and her husband came to the decision to step down.
The president, a former secretary of Health and Human Services, explained that the “substantial progress” her administration has made in the last six years is part of the reasons for her resignation.
“Together, we became the first university to achieve carbon neutrality; we increased our endowment by approximately 60% (from just over $600 million in 2017 to approximately $950 million now); we launched the Sine Institute for Policy and the Institute for Khan Cyber and Economic Security,” Burwell wrote in an email.
The president also mentioned the rise of the university’s School of Public Affairs to the top 10 and AU’s Model UN team, which was voted the best in North America.
Burwell credited his departure to “the people and infrastructure” of the institution, writing that the university has a “great team of leaders who are partnering with our great faculty, staff, alumni and students to guide us into our next chapter of impact”.
Burwell wants to spend more time with her family, adding that she has always worked 24/7 “fighting Ebola as HHS secretary, flying around the world for the Gates Foundation or running this university.” Now, she would like to spend more time living a “different lifestyle” while taking care of her relatives.
“As the first woman to serve as the UA President, Sylvia came to American University at a time when the university was poised to build on a decade of growth and take its next step as a leading institution in Washington, DC,” Gina wrote. Adams, member of the Board of Directors.
Reactions to the announcement are mixed. While some thank Burwell for her work as AU president, others criticize her management.
“A public servant of integrity of great intellect and great effectiveness. AU is incredibly lucky,” one person commented in Burwell’s resignation video.
“I hope the next president will make adjunct, teaching assistant and support staff salaries a priority. I hope progress and change are part of a better year and a better future,” another person reacted.
During move week 2022, AU staff and students went on strike over unfair wages. After two years of fighting for better conditions, including requiring that no full-time employee earn less than $40,000 a year, AU reached an agreement with the union.
“Yeah, after your million dollar raise last year, of course you can afford to retire,” another person commented.
In 2019, Burwell received a 9% raise, while university management fought a 5% raise for low-paid staff, according to The Washington Post.
