The American University in Dubai (AUD), a fully independent institution, has appointed Dr David Schmidt as its new president effective July 1.
Dr Schmidt will be replacing Dr Lance de Masi, who retired last year after an outstanding career of service in the role of president of AUD since 1997.
Dr Schmidt joins the university from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where he served since 2011 as vice president of International Affairs and Professor of Global Studies and Human Geography. In these roles, he was responsible for the leadership of the university’s international and global programs, as well as oversight of the university’s international student recruitment, enrolment, and retention initiatives.
“It is my honour to accept the role of President of the American University in Dubai and I look forward to becoming a part of the diverse academic community of students, faculty and alumni, who proudly call AUD their home,” Dr Schmidt said.
“I look forward to working to guide AUD as it builds on its history and looks to serve Dubai and the region as a leader in providing education that prepares students for a world of new opportunities and challenges.”
Dr Schmidt was selected to serve as president after a year-long global search spearheaded by a search committee of faculty administration and board members, who worked together to determine the best candidate for the position.
“We welcome David to AUD and look forward to his leadership, vision and energy as he engages the university community to build AUD’s future,” said Justin G. Cooper, chairman of the Governing Board of the American University in Dubai.
Dr Schmidt has a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University, a M.A. in Japanese from The Ohio State University and a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
He has also completed Harvard Institute of Higher Education’s Management and Leadership in Education Program, and has received numerous awards and fellowships for excellence in education and scholarship.
Dr Schmidt will work to empower and guide students to lasting academic and professional success, provide academic programs, services, facilities, and technologies that offer diverse opportunities for learning; and foster intercultural understanding as a basis for preparing students to be members of a global community. – TradeArabia News Service
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