Bio

Dr. Fanta Aw is Vice President of Campus Life and the Hurst Senior Professional Lecturer at the School of International Service at American University (AU). She is an expert on U.S. immigration, international education, student engagement, and diversity and inclusion in higher education.

Fanta has spent 25 years in higher education administration. She cares deeply about students and goes above and beyond to help them. For many years, she served as Director of International Students at AU where she helped create the International Women’s Group, which helped women students transition to returning to their home countries. She currently provides executive leadership for fifteen departments in Campus Life and teaches graduate courses on topics such as international higher education policy. In 2013, she received the University Award for Outstanding Teaching in an Adjunct Position.

Born in Mali, West Africa, Fanta speaks several languages including French. She has been interviewed by global media including Agence France Press. She is past President and Chair of the Board of Directors of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the largest membership association of international education. In 2010, Fanta earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from American University.