Tolmacheva President of The AUK

The Board of Trustees of the American University of Kuwait (AUK) announced today the appointment of Dr. Marina Tolmacheva as president. An expert on the history of Islam, she came to AUK in January 2006 and has been serving as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and, more recently, as Acting President. She has taught at universities across the United States, as well as in France and in the Ukraine.

"It is my great privilege to make this announcement on behalf of the Board of Trustees," said Shaikha Dana al-Sabah, Chair of the university's Board. "Dr. Tolmacheva has consistently shown dedication to our mission as a liberal arts university. Her energy, enthusiasm, and broad expertise in academic as well as administrative areas will provide the leadership we need to move confidently into the future."

"I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead the American University of Kuwait at this important time in the institution's history," said Tolmacheva, "On June 20 we will graduate our first class and we have just gained accreditation from the Private University Council. These are two major milestones, yet much remains to be done. I intend to work with the Board of Trustees and with faculty, staff, and students to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the university. We will enhance support for faculty scholarship and strengthen the administrative infrastructure on which our academic enterprise depends. I want to thank the entire AUK community for its continuing support, and I look forward to meeting our present challenges so we can take full advantage of our future opportunities."

Today's announcement comes after a presidential search process, begun in March, 2006, which was the first of its kind at a private university in Kuwait. Meshal Ali, Vice Chair of the AUK Board and a member of the Presidential Search Committee, said that conducting such a search has been a privilege for the institution. "We asked faculty, staff, and students to contribute to the process by sending us their thoughts about the kind of leadership the university needed," he said. "Many of them took that opportunity, sending us important and substantive feedback, and it was gratifying to see the community become involved in this way."

The American University of Kuwait was founded in 2003 as a private liberal arts university. Based on the American model of higher education, it is dedicated to providing students with knowledge, self-awareness, and personal growth experiences that enhance critical thinking, effective communication, and respect for diversity. The university has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dartmouth College, an Ivy League institution in New Hampshire in the United States of America. Founded in 1769, Dartmouth offers a premier undergraduate liberal arts experience combined with distinctive graduate programs in the arts and sciences, medicine, business, and engineering. Dartmouth and AUK continue to pursue a variety of advisory, consultative and cooperative projects.

Dale F. Eickelman, the Ralph and Richard Lazarus Professor of Anthropology and Human Relations at Dartmouth, who also served as a member of the AUK Presidential Search Committee, said, "This is an auspicious moment for AUK and a proud moment for Dartmouth. Those of us who have worked with the Board and with Dr. Tolmacheva feel optimistic about what the future holds for every member of the university's community."
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva AUK's President