American University of Rome adds six trustees as it expands campus and programs

The American University of Rome has appointed six new trustees from higher education, law, business, public policy, film and philanthropy. The move comes as AUR rolls out its 2026–2029 strategic plan and expands its Rome campus and academic offerings.

Why it matters: - The American University of Rome is adding board expertise at a moment of institutional growth. - The new trustees bring experience that aligns with AUR's priorities in academic quality, global engagement, career preparation and campus expansion. - The appointments may strengthen governance and international partnerships as AUR advances its 2026–2029 strategic plan.

What happened: - AUR announced six new members to its Board of Trustees on November 2, 2026. - The new trustees are Penelope Andrews, Salvatore Giammarresi, Karen Kehela Sherwood, Lisel Loy, Dr. Elizabeth J. Short and Richard Worley. - AUR said the group brings experience from academia, international business, public policy, the creative industries and philanthropy. - AUR President Dr. Scott Sprenger said the trustees will support the university as it expands opportunities for students and strengthens academic programs.

The details: - Penelope Andrews is a legal scholar and the John Marshall Harlan II Professor at New York Law School. - Andrews directs the Racial Justice Project and oversees New York Law School's summer program in Rome. - Andrews previously served as the first female dean and president of Albany Law School and the first Black dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Town. - Andrews is a longstanding supporter of AUR, and her appointment builds on AUR's academic partnership with New York Law School. - Salvatore Giammarresi is Head of Localization at Airbnb. - Giammarresi previously held senior roles at PayPal and Yahoo. - Giammarresi has a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and experience with nonprofit organizations focused on language equity. - Karen Kehela Sherwood is a film producer and former co-chairman of Imagine Films at Imagine Entertainment. - Sherwood's credits include A Beautiful Mind, Inside Man, Frost/Nixon and The Mysterious Benedict Society for Disney+. - Sherwood also serves on the boards of First Book and Ready to Succeed. - Lisel Loy is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C. - Loy oversees institutional strategy and the Bipartisan Policy Center's Governance Program. - Loy served as a senior White House official during the Clinton administration. - Loy also serves on the board of the Washington Studio School. - Dr. Elizabeth J. Short is an emeritus professor of psychology at Case Western Reserve University. - Short directed the master's program in Developmental Psychology with an Early Intervention Specialization and led the ALERT Lab. - Richard Worley is founder and Managing Partner of Permit Capital LLC. - Worley previously held senior positions at Miller Anderson & Sherrerd and Morgan Stanley Investment Management. - Worley chaired the Philadelphia Orchestra Association for a decade. - Worley's board service includes the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania, Colonial Williamsburg, the National Constitution Center and the Independence Seaport Museum. - AUR said the appointments support its work on an expanded Rome campus, new academic initiatives, and greater investment in career preparation and international engagement. - AUR's 2026–2029 strategic plan is titled Our Time is Now II. - AUR is also introducing an undergraduate degree in Psychology.

Between the lines: - The trustee slate mixes academic leadership with private-sector, nonprofit and cultural governance experience. - That combination suggests AUR is prioritizing both institutional credibility and external networks as it scales up. - The board appointments also reinforce AUR's international identity, especially through leaders with ties to Rome, Europe and cross-border business.

What's next: - The new trustees will help guide AUR through its campus expansion and academic development. - AUR said the board, along with existing members, will support the institution's next phase of growth. - The university is expected to continue implementing its strategic plan and expanding partnerships as the board takes up its role.