Dr. C. Michael Smith Appointed as President of The American University of Afghanistan
September 8, 2009
Contact:
Heidi Schaler, U.S. Office: (202) 580-6666, hschaler@auaf.edu.af
Dr. C. Michael Smith, a long-time leader of international higher education, will be the next president of The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in Kabul, university board chairman Akram Fazel announced today.
The former president of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Smith also oversaw the accreditation of 30 universities in the United Arab Emirates and has extensive background in education administration in the United States. Smith will succeed Dr. Tom Stauffer, who stepped down last summer. Smith’s appointment is effective Sept. 1.
Founded in 2006, The American University of Afghanistan is the country's only independent, private, non-profit, non-sectarian, co-educational institution of higher learning. The university was launched by Afghan business and civic leaders who believe that the American higher education model will make a valuable and decisive contribution to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. With the support of the United States Government and private donations, AUAF has reached an enrollment of over 300 undergraduate students and offers more than 60 courses taught by some 30 permanent faculty with internationally recognized degrees.
The university is currently raising funds to construct a new campus on 40 acres in Kabul designed to support a growing student population and more diverse degree offerings.
AUAF chairman Fazel says Smith's experience as a higher education leader in another nation with great need will be essential to advancing higher education in Afghanistan.
"Dr. Michael Smith comes to AUAF at a pivotal time in our evolution as an academic institution," Fazel said. "Afghanistan is primed for the next step in Higher Education. As president, Michael will no doubt build upon the momentum generated by Chief Academic Officer and recent Acting President, Dr. Athanasios Moulakis, and uphold the values upon which AUAF was founded."
Fazel added, “AUAF is fortunate and privileged to have Dr. Michael Smith as its next president. We are confident that significant inroads and advancements will be achieved under his leadership. His wealth of experience and success record towards the advancement of higher education in developing nations is a capital that we need urgently in Afghanistan.”
Smith said he welcomes the challenges ahead.
"I am honored to accept the position as president of the American University of Afghanistan,” Smith said. “AUAF can be a beacon for high quality university education in the region. I am excited to work with the university’s outstanding Board of Trustees and excellent faculty and staff.”
Known for his leadership in international education, Smith is passionate about educating people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend a university.
Members of the search committee were most impressed with Smith’s background in international education and expertise that he will bring to Kabul. His unique experience in academic accreditation and education in the U.S. and abroad has prepared him for this position at AUAF, according to committee chair and Trustee, Leslie Schweitzer.
"Michael Smith is an outstanding individual, a distinguished leader and an experienced administrator with remarkable development skills,” said Schweitzer. “I am thrilled that Michael and AUAF have chosen each other and I look forward to working closely with him."
From 2007 to 2009, Smith served as president of American University of Nigeria (AUN), an institution which he helped found. Prior to that, Smith served as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences from 2005 to2007. Under Smith’s direction, AUN grew to 1,200 students from an initial enrollment of 124. In May 2009, AUN held its first graduation, where Archbishop Desmond Tutu delivered the commencement address.
Before leading AUN, Smith served as director of the Commission on Academic Accreditation in the United Arab Emirates, where he oversaw the licensing and accreditation of over 30 universities and programs. In the United States, Smith was the Director for Planning and Assessment of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, and the director of nonprofit education foundations in Pennsylvania and Florida. At Winthrop University, Smith was vice president for academic affairs and acting president.
Smith is a graduate of the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University and holds a PhD in British and American Literature from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. He earned his MA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in British and American Literature and his BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in English and Political Science. He has served on a number of boards and committees and on the faculty at Winthrop University, University of California, Los Angeles, and Elon University.
