American University

Washington, DC · Founded 1935

Leading research university in Washington, D.C. offering undergraduate and graduate programs with a focus on global education and public service.

Primary audience

College Students

Work area

Higher Education

Topic

University Education

Contact

Sylvia M Burwell

Website Contact

About Organization

American University is a private research university based in Washington, D.C. that enrolls students from throughout the United States and nearly 140 countries. With approximately 8,400 employees and annual revenue of $937 million, the university offers a diverse range of academic programs with emphasis on international affairs, public policy, and liberal arts education.

What They Focus On

Higher Education

Providing undergraduate and graduate academic programs to students from the United States and nearly 140 countries worldwide.

International Affairs

Advancing global education through international programs, cultural exchange, and research on fisheries governance and labor rights.

Community Research

Conducting research and supporting initiatives addressing community issues including gun violence prevention, arts, and culture.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2021)

$937.1M

-6.1% vs 2021

Assets (2021)

$2.5B

+5.4% vs 2021

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2021	—	—	—	—
2021	$997,808,443	$864,229,056	$2,349,689,128	8,400
2020	—	—	—	—
2020	$777,986,841	$729,092,455	$2,420,807,502	8,170
2019	$862,369,744	$794,127,433	$2,059,436,434	9,281
2018	$953,033,100	$783,072,578	$2,052,830,523	9,246
2017	$815,033,830	$733,930,689	$2,000,480,593	8,997

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Student Enrollment

Recruit and admit diverse students from across the United States and 140 countries worldwide.
02

Academic Programs

Deliver undergraduate and graduate education through faculty-led courses and research opportunities.
03

Research Support

Fund and facilitate research projects addressing policy, culture, and community issues through grants.
04

Community Impact

Apply academic resources to address local and global challenges through partnerships and programs.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American University

Global Education

International academic programs connecting students from nearly 140 countries with diverse learning opportunities and cultural exchange experiences.

Research Initiatives

Academic research programs spanning policy, arts, culture, and community issues supported through grants and faculty-led projects.

Community Engagement

Programs addressing local community issues including gun violence prevention and civic participation in the Washington, D.C. area.

Arts and Culture

Cultural programming and artistic initiatives supporting creative expression and community engagement through university resources.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American University.

Sylvia M Burwell

President

Full-time

Compensation: $1,092,883

Peter Starr

Provost & Chief Academic Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $427,518

Steve Munson

VP & Cio

Full-time

Compensation: $316,466

James Dinegar

Special Asst Director

Full-time

Compensation: $300,177

Matthew Bennett

VP & Chief Communications Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $293,719

Cornelius M Kerwin

Prof & President Emeritus

Full-time

Compensation: $257,343

Bronte Burleigh-Jones

CFO, VP & Treas

Full-time

Compensation: $131,652

David G Swartz

Former VP & Cio

Compensation: $100,409

Bronte Burleigh-Jones

CFO, VP & Treas

Courtney Surls

VP Development & Alumni Rel

Full-time

Compensation: $437,390

John Delaney

Dean (Thru 6/30/22)

Full-time

Compensation: $424,214

Claudio Grossman

Professor

Full-time

Compensation: $422,263

Traevena Byrd

VP, Gen Counsel & Bot Sec

Full-time

Compensation: $415,821

Seth Grossman

VP Of People & External Affairs

Full-time

Compensation: $351,152

Fanta Aw

VP Ug Enroll, Campus Life & Ie

Full-time

Compensation: $348,970

Andrew Popper

Professor

Full-time

Compensation: $345,148

Wendy Boland

Dean

Full-time

Compensation: $323,225

Robert Dinerstein

Professor & Former Dean

Full-time

Compensation: $287,594

Roger A Fairfax Jr

Dean & Professor

Full-time

Compensation: $279,875

Scott A Bass

Prof & Provost Emeritus

Full-time

Compensation: $270,090

Daniel J Myers

Former Provost & Cao

Compensation: $142,639

Douglas Kudravetz

CFO, VP & Treasurer Thru 10/1/21

Milestones

1935

Federal Tax Exemption

1935

Granted tax-exempt status by the IRS as an educational institution.

2017

Leadership Transition

2017

Sylvia M. Burwell appointed as university president, leading strategic growth initiatives.

2018

Revenue Peak

2018

Achieved peak annual revenue of $953 million with over 9,200 employees.

2021

Post-Pandemic Growth

2021

Revenue rebounded to $998 million following pandemic recovery with 8,400 staff.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Douglas Kudravetz CFO, VP & Treasurer Thru 10/1/21 50.00 hrs/week · $549,870

Alan L Meltzer Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Betsy A Mangone Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Charles H Lydecker Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

David Trone Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Fernando Lewis Navarro Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Gary M Abramson Trustee Thru 5/13/22 2.00 hrs/week

Gaurdie Banister Jr Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Gerald Bruce Lee Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Gina F Adams Vice Chair 2.00 hrs/week

Greg Bergquist Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Hani Ms Farsi Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Jack C Cassell Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Janice M Abraham Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Jeffrey A Sine Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Korey Neal Sr Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Latrelle Easterling Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Marc N Duber Chair 10.00 hrs/week

Margery Kraus Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Maria Otero Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Maril Gagen MacDonald Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Matthew S Pittinsky Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Mehdi Heravi Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Michael Balmuth Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Michael W Kempner Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Pamela M Deese Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Peter L Scher Trustee Thru 5/13/22 2.00 hrs/week

Stephanie M Bennett-Smith Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Thomas A Gottschalk Trustee Thru 5/13/22 2.00 hrs/week

Wesley G Bush Trustee 2.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2021)

$7.3M

Highest Paid

$1.3M

Sylvia M Burwell

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Sylvia M Burwell	President	$1,092,883	$202,784	$1,295,667	50
Douglas Kudravetz	CFO, VP & Treasurer Thru 10/1/21	$549,870	$31,053	$580,923	50
Traevena Byrd	VP, Gen Counsel & Bot SEC	$415,821	$92,701	$508,522	50
Courtney Surls	VP Development & Alumni Rel	$437,390	$63,227	$500,617	50
John Delaney	Dean (Thru 6/30/22)	$424,214	$55,253	$479,467	50
Claudio Grossman	Professor	$422,263	$34,842	$457,105	50
Peter Starr	Provost & Chief Academic Officer	$427,518	$26,339	$453,857	50
Seth Grossman	VP Of People & External Affairs	$351,152	$69,191	$420,343	50
Fanta Aw	VP Ug Enroll, Campus Life & Ie	$348,970	$61,670	$410,640	50
Steve Munson	VP & CIO	$316,466	$78,777	$395,243	50
Andrew Popper	Professor	$345,148	$36,473	$381,621	50
Wendy Boland	Dean	$323,225	$46,334	$369,559	50
Matthew Bennett	VP & Chief Communications Officer	$293,719	$73,663	$367,382	50
James Dinegar	Special ASST Director	$300,177	$42,398	$342,575	50
Robert Dinerstein	Professor & Former Dean	$287,594	$38,443	$326,037	50

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Sylvia M Burwell	President	$890,432	$188,433	$1,078,865	50
Daniel J Myers	Former Provost & CAO	$694,538	$42,443	$736,981	—
Douglas Kudravetz	CFO, VP And Treasurer (Thru 10/1/21)	$511,918	$35,215	$547,133	50
John Delaney	Dean	$454,582	$41,412	$495,994	50
Claudio Grossman	Professor	$445,727	$21,261	$466,988	50
Courtney Surls	VP Development & Alumni Rel	$412,112	$53,937	$466,049	50
Traevena Byrd	VP, Uni. Counsel & Bot SEC.	$357,090	$81,815	$438,905	50
Patrick Malone	Director & EXEC In Residence	$399,430	$10,415	$409,845	50
Heng Xu	Professor	$361,947	$44,799	$406,746	50
Erdal Tekin	Professor	$359,235	$45,923	$405,158	50
Seth Grossman	VP Of People & Ext Rel	$310,372	$66,141	$376,513	50
Peter Starr	Provost & Chief Academic Officer	$347,213	$18,547	$365,760	50
Fanta Aw	VP Campus Life & Ie	$295,516	$58,500	$354,016	50
Robert Dinerstein	Dean (Thru 6/30/21)	$308,608	$28,212	$336,820	50
Matthew Bennett	VP & Chief Communications Officer	$266,575	$60,364	$326,939	50

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Sylvia M Burwell	President	$1,034,904	$179,077	$1,213,981	50
Douglas Kudravetz	CFO, VP & Treasurer	$600,539	$51,496	$652,035	50
Daniel J Myers	Provost & Chief Academic Officer	$547,106	$51,401	$598,507	50
Scott A Bass	Prof. & Provost Emeritus	$541,355	$43,039	$584,394	50
Billie Jo Kaufman	Retired Law Librarian	$558,171	$19,683	$577,854	50
Herman Schwartz	Retired Professor	$512,310	$21,652	$533,962	50
John Delaney	Dean	$470,182	$57,610	$527,792	50
Cornelius M Kerwin	Prof. & President Emeritus	$481,466	$44,715	$526,181	50
Camille Nelson	Dean & Professor	$449,580	$46,723	$496,303	50
Courtney Surls	VP Development & Alumni Rel	$419,338	$68,484	$487,822	50
David G Swartz	VP & CIO Thru 2/23/20	$414,816	$48,481	$463,297	50
Traevena Byrd	VP, Uni. Counsel & Bot SEC.	$360,588	$93,889	$454,477	50
Fanta Aw	VP Campus Life & Ie	$316,888	$70,239	$387,127	50
Seth Grossman	VP Of People & Ext Rel, Cofs	$331,964	$49,041	$381,005	50
Teresa Flannery	Former VP Of Communication	$338,868	$24,373	$363,241	50

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Sylvia M Burwell	President	$920,212	$172,224	$1,092,436	50
Cornelius M Kerwin	Prof. & President Emeritus	$680,666	$49,234	$729,900	40
Scott A Bass	Prof. & Provost Emeritus	$625,357	$47,209	$672,566	40
Douglas Kudravetz	CFO, VP & Treasurer	$580,741	$49,722	$630,463	50
David G Swartz	VP & CIO	$478,167	$47,161	$525,328	50
John Delaney	Dean	$441,525	$59,139	$500,664	40
Elliot Milstein	Professor - Retired	$467,075	$27,571	$494,646	40
Claudio Grossman	Professor	$450,609	$39,108	$489,717	40
Camille Nelson	Dean & Professor	$433,456	$47,951	$481,407	40
Courtney Surls	VP Development & Alumni Rel	$380,908	$64,208	$445,116	50
Teresa Flannery	VP Communication Thru 6/1/19	$287,085	$84,766	$371,851	50
Mary Clark	Interim Provost Thru 1/15/19	$318,381	$32,988	$351,369	50
Fanta Aw	VP Campus Life & Ie	$293,658	$57,491	$351,149	50
Traevena Byrd	VP, Uni. Counsel & Bot SEC.	$246,643	$33,063	$279,706	50

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Cornelius M Kerwin	President Thru June 2017	$993,593	$49,250	$1,042,843	50
Scott A Bass	Provost	$621,230	$45,694	$666,924	50
Douglas Kudravetz	CFO/VP Finance/Treasurer	$554,905	$47,967	$602,872	50
Mary E Kennard	Former VP & University Counsel	$579,572	$14,480	$594,052	50
Claudio Grossman	Professor	$504,403	$38,381	$542,784	50
John Delaney	Dean	$412,069	$61,015	$473,084	50
Sylvia M Burwell	President	$421,650	$48,392	$470,042	50
Camille Nelson	Dean & Professor	$405,552	$46,462	$452,014	50
David G Swartz	VP & CIO	$367,161	$46,175	$413,336	50
Gail Short Hanson	Former VP Campus Life	$400,448	$5,909	$406,357	50
Courtney Surls	VP Development & Alumni Rel	$365,638	$36,287	$401,925	50
Andrew F Popper	Professor	$343,697	$46,688	$390,385	50
Robert D Dinerstein	Professor	$332,954	$46,243	$379,197	50
Teresa Flannery	VP Of Communication	$286,324	$80,588	$366,912	50
Jeffrey H Harris	Professor	$338,354	$27,571	$365,925	50

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$9K Total Given

Democratic $8,124 (93%)

Other/PAC $398 (5%)

Republican $200 (2%)

100 Contributions

$87 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

32 Individual Donors

Thomas Kahn 5 contributions • $900 avg

$4,500

Molly Orourke 2 contributions • $500 avg

$1,000

Heman Schwartz 2 contributions • $250 avg

$500

Taryn Morrissey 2 contributions • $250 avg

$500

Lucia Miree 8 contributions • $34 avg

$270

Other Individual Contributors $1,952 combined

Evan Kraft

Washington, DC

$246 Total

10 Contributions

CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO FOR SENATE ACTBLUE

Robert Sicina

Gainesville, VA

$200 Total

2 Contributions

NIKKI HALEY FOR PRESIDENT

Hilary Allen

Washington, DC

$150 Total

3 Contributions

DSCC ACTBLUE

Margaret Barry

Bethesda, MD

$125 Total

2 Contributions

ACTBLUE

#10

Cynthia Myntti

Minneapolis, MN

$125 Total

4 Contributions

ACTBLUE INDIVISIBLE ACTION

#11

Gregory Harry

Silver Spring, MD

$120 Total

3 Contributions

DCCC ACTBLUE

#12

Marilyn Shields

Wheaton, MD

$100 Total

2 Contributions

STOP REPUBLICANS ACTBLUE

#13

Willow Williamson

Dpo, AE

$99 Total

6 Contributions

JON OSSOFF FOR SENATE WARNOCK FOR GEORGIA

#14

Austin Arminio

Arlington, VA

$80 Total

4 Contributions

DCCC DSCC

#15

Herman Schwartz

Chevy Chase, MD

$75 Total

2 Contributions

MARK KELLY FOR SENATE

#16

Evan Nemoff

Washington, DC

$75 Total

3 Contributions

DSCC ACTBLUE

#17

Kelly Keegan

Washington, DC

$70 Total

3 Contributions

MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION EMILYS LIST

#18

Carmen Ruzza

Bethesda, MD

$57 Total

3 Contributions

DEMOCRATIC ACTION ACTBLUE

#19

Marie Spaulding

Arlington, VA

$50 Total

2 Contributions

HALEY STEVENS FOR CONGRESS ACTBLUE

#20

Anna Whiston

Williamsburg, VA

$50 Total

2 Contributions

EMILYS LIST

#21

Susan Carle

Bethesda, MD

$50 Total

2 Contributions

DSCC ACTBLUE

#22

John Charles

Arlington, VA

$50 Total

2 Contributions

LCV VICTORY

#23

Eileen Findlay

Washington, DC

$47 Total

2 Contributions

JUSTICE DEMOCRATS PAC MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION

#24

Meredith Jacob

Washington, DC

$36 Total

2 Contributions

FAIR FIGHT

#25

Mark Starik

Madison, WI

$32 Total

7 Contributions

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF WISCONSIN FE... ACTBLUE

#26

Jerry Schiff

Chevy Chase, MD

$25 Total

1 Contribution

MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION

#27

Annie Murphy Karabell

Washington, DC

$20 Total

1 Contribution

THE PAC FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE

#28

Christina Esters

Upper Marlboro, MD

$20 Total

1 Contribution

ACTBLUE

#29

Jill Brantley

Silver Spring, MD

$19 Total

9 Contributions

ACTBLUE

#30

John Simson

Silver Spring, MD

$15 Total

1 Contribution

DSCC

#31

Caroline Croft

Washington, DC

$10 Total

1 Contribution

HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT

#32

Jill Bailey

Alexandria, VA

$6 Total

1 Contribution

KAINE FOR VIRGINIA

Quick Insights

🏆

Most Active Donor Evan Kraft with 10 contributions

💰

Highest Avg per Contribution Thomas Kahn at $900 each

🎯

Top Recipient ANDREI FOR ARIZONA — $2,000

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$5.0M Grants Received

43 Organizations

Top Funders

43 total

Corporation For Public Broadcasting

$1.5M

American Online Giving Foundation Inc.

$384K

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

$327K

Institute Of International Education

$292K

Give Back Foundation

$262K

The Ayco Charitable Foundation

$226K

Greater Washington Community Foundation 2 grants

$163K

National Collegiate Athletic Association

$160K

Climateworks Foundation

$156K

Multiplier

$135K

+33 more funders

Corporation For Public Broadcasting American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Silicon Valley Community Foundation Institute Of International Education Give Back Foundation The Ayco Charitable Foundation Greater Washington Community Foundation National Collegiate Athletic Association Climateworks Foundation Multiplier Search For Common Ground Everytown For Gun Safety Support Fund Delta Gamma Foundation Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. National Public Radio Inc. American Endowment Foundation The Henry L Stimson Center Impactassetsinc Oceana Inc. American Gift Fund The Newton D & Rochelle F Becker Foundation Center For Curiosity Inc. Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc. Tides Foundation National Alliance For Research On American Chemical Society American Institutes For Research In The Aarp Community Foundation of Northern Nevada

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Federal Funding

Government awards and grants from USAspending.gov

$44.1M Total Obligated

$44.1M Total Amount

58 Awards

7 Agencies

By Agency

NASA $15.1M

HHS $12.7M

NSF $6.0M

Education $4.6M

AmeriCorps $3.1M

Justice $2.3M

NEH $247K

Awards (Top 20)

Agency	Award ID	Type	Period	Amount
NSF	2331399	COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (B)	2024-2028	$6,020,483
Education	P063P250067	DIRECT PAYMENT FOR SPECIFIED USE, AS A SUBSIDY OR OTHER NON-REIMBURSABLE DIRECT FINANCIAL AID (C)	2025-2031	$4,332,781
NASA	80NSSC20M0092	COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (B)	2025-2026	$4,270,858
HHS	R01MH110158	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2016-2021	$3,553,453
AmeriCorps	23REAVA001	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2023-2026	$3,050,958
HHS	R01MH129161	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2023-2028	$1,801,635
NASA	80NSSC23M0005	COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (B)	2025-2026	$1,599,868
NASA	80NSSC19M0070	COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (B)	2019-2024	$1,518,637
Justice	15PBJA22GK01403VTCX	COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (B)	2022-2026	$1,295,136
HHS	R01DA055572	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2022-2027	$1,280,955
Justice	15PBJA22GK04593DGCT	COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (B)	2022-2026	$1,000,000
NASA	80NSSC25M7121	COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (B)	2025-2029	$945,000
NASA	80NSSC19K1000	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2024-2025	$868,384
HHS	R15GM146207	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2022-2025	$834,742
HHS	K23AT011049	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2020-2025	$716,046
NASA	80NSSC24K0707	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2024-2029	$697,925
HHS	R01DK140192	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2024-2029	$642,343
HHS	R34MH140638	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2025-2028	$608,698
NASA	80NSSC26M0003	COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (B)	2026-2029	$538,923
HHS	R15DA062121	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2025-2028	$476,496

+ 38 more awards

Source: USAspending.gov. Amounts represent total federal obligations.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying

4 Registrations

4 Clients

Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 4 total

American University Of Afghanistan

1 filing

Self

American University Of Beirut

1 filing

Self

Lebanese American University

1 filing

Self

The American University In Cairo

1 filing

Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American University

Phone

(202) 885-2822

Visit Website

4400 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 200168020

American University

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Student Enrollment

Academic Programs

Research Support

Community Impact

Programs and Initiatives

Global Education

Research Initiatives

Community Engagement

Arts and Culture

Team & Leadership

Sylvia M Burwell

Peter Starr

Steve Munson

James Dinegar

Matthew Bennett

Cornelius M Kerwin

Bronte Burleigh-Jones

David G Swartz

Bronte Burleigh-Jones

Courtney Surls

John Delaney

Claudio Grossman

Traevena Byrd

Seth Grossman

Fanta Aw

Andrew Popper

Wendy Boland

Robert Dinerstein

Roger A Fairfax Jr

Scott A Bass

Daniel J Myers

Douglas Kudravetz

Milestones

Federal Tax Exemption

Leadership Transition

Revenue Peak

Post-Pandemic Growth

Associated People

Board of Directors

Executive Compensation

Individual Political Donors

Top Individual Donors

Other Individual Contributors $1,952 combined

Evan Kraft

Robert Sicina

Hilary Allen

Margaret Barry

Cynthia Myntti

Gregory Harry

Marilyn Shields

Willow Williamson

Austin Arminio

Herman Schwartz

Evan Nemoff

Kelly Keegan

Carmen Ruzza

Marie Spaulding

Anna Whiston

Susan Carle

John Charles

Eileen Findlay

Meredith Jacob

Mark Starik

Jerry Schiff

Annie Murphy Karabell

Christina Esters

Jill Brantley

John Simson

Caroline Croft

Jill Bailey

Quick Insights

Partners & Funders

Top Funders

Federal Funding

By Agency

Awards (Top 20)