Dr. Benjamin Ladner came to American University as president in 1994 with lofty goals for the struggling institution. Problems with enrollment, funding, accreditation, governance, and overall institutional image left few believing Ladner could accomplish his bold vision for the future.
However, he immediately embarked on an aggressive campaign to turn things around by developing a comprehensive strategic plan that addressed a broad spectrum of problems while offering a clear direction for the university that was built on its strengths. At the same time, he totally restructured the administration, energized the alumni, and got fundraising and financial management on a sure footing.
He relied upon his international connections and leadership prowess to expand AU’s international programs, more than doubling the number of students who studied abroad and pushing to more than 150 the number of nations represented in AU’s student body. A centerpiece of his efforts was the partnership to create and manage a new American-style university in the UAE, the American University of Sharjah. That university gained American accreditation and has already become the leading higher education institution in the region. Relying upon the same model, Ladner also led the development of a new university in Nigeria.
These and many other international initiatives, including Ladner’s own personal efforts of “academic diplomacy” in such countries as North Korea, Cuba, Uzbekistan, and China, helped bolster American University’s image as a premier global institution.