Message from the President

Prof. Adi Arida

It is with great honor and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you as Interim President of the American University of Madaba (AUM). The University stands at a pivotal moment in its institutional journey - one marked by continuity of purpose, renewal of leadership, and an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, integrity, and service to society.

AUM was founded on a clear and noble vision: to be an internationally renowned university distinguished by holistic education and by its dedication to using wisdom and science to build a better world. This vision is not merely aspirational; it is the foundation that guides our decisions, shapes our priorities, and defines our responsibility to our students, our community, and the wider global society. Our mission - grounded in integral human development, ethical conduct, dialogue, justice, and the generation of knowledge - reflects the essence of Catholic higher education and the enduring strengths of the American-style academic model that AUM proudly upholds.

At AUM, education extends well beyond the classroom. We are committed to preparing critical thinkers, ethical leaders, and engaged citizens who can contribute meaningfully to a rapidly changing world. Through high-quality teaching, impactful research, international and industry partnerships, and active community engagement, we aim to graduate individuals guided by the light of truth and equipped with the competencies, skills, and values required for professional success and social transformation. This journey is supported by dedicated faculty and staff, modern learning resources, and a campus environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, creativity, and well-being.

Our commitment to quality and accountability is also evident in AUM’s engagement with international accreditation processes. The University currently holds Candidacy for Accreditation with the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a highly respected international accrediting body known for its rigorous standards and emphasis on institutional effectiveness, governance, and student learning. This status confirms that AUM has met NECHE’s eligibility requirements and is actively engaged in a comprehensive process of institutional self-assessment and continuous improvement. It reflects our determination to measure ourselves against internationally recognized standards while strengthening our academic, administrative, and governance frameworks.

As Interim President, my priority is to ensure institutional stability, transparency, and strategic momentum during this important phase. We will continue to reinforce a culture of good governance, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making. We will support our faculty and researchers in advancing scholarly excellence and innovation, and we will place student success at the center of all that we do - academically, professionally, and personally. At the same time, we will deepen AUM’s engagement with local, regional, and international partners in ways that expand opportunity, and serve the common good.

AUM’s core values - diversity, tolerance, justice, ethical conduct, creativity, productivity, social responsibility, transparency, and good governance - are not abstract ideals; they are principles that must be lived daily across our academic and institutional life. In honoring these values, we honor the trust placed in us by our students, their families, our partners, and society at large.

At the American University of Madaba, academic excellence and integrity unite to shape enlightened minds and empower future leaders. Guided by the light of truth and the enduring values of Catholic higher education, the University remains committed to integral human development, ethical leadership, and service to the common good, while continuing its pursue of international standards of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement in alignment with the expectations of the New England Commission of Higher Education. 

Sincerely,

Professor Adi I. Arida

Interim President

American University of Madaba (AUM)