Students are now deep into their third week – diving into classes, exploring ways to engage on campus, meeting new friends or catching up with old ones, and enjoying time in the sunshine on our beautiful quad.

Academically, one way that first-year students start forming shared experiences is by reading a book together as a community, discussing it, writing about it, and hearing from the author. Last week, incoming students who have been engaging together with Isac Bailey’s Why Didn’t We Riot? A Black Man in Trumpland welcomed him to the AU’s Writer as Witness colloquium, which is an inspiring and thought-provoking start to the year.

As we move towards Fall, we know that students will have ups and downs. The Center for Well-Being and Psychological Services is a great resource to help students address their emotional wellness. Tools to help students make meaningful connections around shared interests include the Engage calendar, which lists activities and organizations. Remember, our Academic Support and Access Center offers resources like peer tutoring and the Writing Center to help Eagles reach their academic potential!

We look forward to welcoming families back to campus during Family Weekend! For those who will not be able to join, know that we’ll be looking for ways to engage you in events from wherever you are. Have a wonderful September!

10/13: Fall break (one day); no classes, university offices remain open, halls remain open

10/13 - 10/15: Family Weekend

11/21: Tuesday classes cancelled, Friday classes meet instead

11/22 - 11/26: Thanksgiving holiday; no classes, halls remain open, dining services modified, university offices closed Thursday and Friday

12/11 - 12/16: Fall final examinations, consult with your student before arranging travel

12/17: Fall Commencement Ceremony for August and December graduates

1/16: Spring classes begin

We enthusiastically welcome you to visit your student and our campus community in-person October 13-15, 2023. Check out our detailed schedule on our website. For your convenience, we also list area hotels, directions and other resources to help you plan your visit. You can also check out our special rates for families at the Airlie Hotel.

Flock Talk is a new series where we feature advice from our Eagle Families! What are some things you’ve learned along the way as you supported your student(s) through college? What has your Eagle taught you? What are some things you never thought to ask as a parent, family member or supporter? Do you have general advice to share? Share your wisdom below to be featured in a future Family Update Newsletter!

AU is committed to the holistic development, support, and engagement of students. We work to provide transformational co-curricular experiences that are reflective of the University’s mission to foster intellectual curiosity, build community, and empower lives of purpose, service, and leadership. We center students and their experiences at the core of our work, and endeavor to help them find their place at AU; to belong, thrive, grow, and graduate. This session will cover the many ways students can get engaged and involved on campus, and the offices that support them in exploring interests and creating opportunities to make the most of campus life at AU!

September 21, 2023 7- 8 p.m.
Building Belonging with Student Engagement

We recommend that you visit our website about Student Engagement as this will be our focus for this session.

This fall, American University’s Creative Writing MFA Program is bringing three award-winning writers to campus for readings, discussions, and book signings as part of its annual Visiting Writers Series. The events are free and open to the public (no RSVP necessary), giving students, faculty, and AU community members an opportunity to hear from some of the most gifted and politically engaged writers of our times.

The New York Times reported in August that the US Air Force is testing a new generation of autonomous combat planes that don’t need a pilot—on the ground or in the air. The Department of Defense also recently announced it will deploy a new AI-enabled detection system to monitor the air space over the DC area, home to approximately 6 million people. School of International Service professor Trey Herr explains the significance of the military’s Pentagon-sized investment in generative artificial intelligence and what could be ahead for the technology.

On September 6, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) joined Betsy Fischer Martin, SPA/BA ’92, SOC/MA ’96, executive director of SPA’s Women and Politics Institute, to discuss the new book, her sixth; staying positive during periods of adversity; bipartisanship; and the importance of “knowing your stuff.” The event was part of the institute’s long-running Women on Wednesdays series.

Elementary Education major Lily Serber ’24, spent the spring 2023 semester studying in Rome, Italy, at John Cabot University (JCU) through the AU Abroad study abroad program. “Volunteering in another country was one of my highlights being in Rome,” said Serber. “I had the unique opportunity to add an independent study to my class schedule when I participated in the Italy Reads program.”