Dear AU Faculty and Staff,

Throughout 2026, American University will be commemorating our nation’s 250th anniversary, or semi-quincentennial, through the 250+ at American initiative.

We are in the process of developing a series of programs and events to engage the entire AU community in reflection on our nation’s past, present, and future through various disciplinary lenses, while helping to envision a path forward for our democracy.

As part of this process, we will be convening an “Ideas Group,” made up of faculty and staff, to suggest ideas, speakers, and events for the initiative. Led by School of Public Affairs Professor Tom Merrill and Amy Dacey, executive director of the Democracy Innovation Lab and the Sine Institute for Policy and Politics, this group will work in conjunction with a student advisory group. In order to ensure that this initiative is truly an all-community endeavor, we welcome input from all disciplines and departments.

If you are interested in joining this group, please fill out this form by Friday, September 19. We will follow up on all expressions of interest with further details.

I hope you will consider being part of this important effort! 

Sincerely, 

Jonathan R. Alger
President, American University