Alger to Resign From American U to Become America 250 Fellow

After two years at the helm, American University president Jonathan Alger is stepping down to take a joint appointment announced by the American Council on Education and the American Association of Colleges and Universities, the university announced Wednesday.

As the inaugural America 250 fellow, Alger will work “to advance the role of colleges and universities in strengthening democratic institutions, civic learning, and informed citizenship as the United States marks its 250th anniversary,” according to the AAC&U news release.

Alger previously spent 12 years leading James Madison University, where he spoke regularly about the need for civic engagement and the role universities can play in serving the public good. At American, he founded the Civic Life Initiative and advanced other efforts to accelerate the spread of civic learning in colleges.

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