Alumni Center

Questions?

  • SPA: Development & Alumni Relations
    (202) 885-2661
    Ward Circle Building, Room 310

    Dan Mackeben
    Director of Development
    mackeben@american.edu

    Torrey Androski
    Assistant Director of Development
    androski@american.edu

Mailing Address

Making a Gift

The School of Public Affairs' tradition of academic excellence has been made possible through the generous support of alumni and friends. Your generosity contributes the funds necessary to bridge the gap between tuition revenues and the true cost of educating SPA's undergraduate and graduate students.

SPA benefits greatly from annual unrestricted gifts, as well as contributions targeted toward a particular interest, such as the SPA Dean's Leadership Fund and the 75th Anniversary Leadership Fund. These gifts provide the Dean with the discretion to put your money where it is needed most:

  • bringing prominent leaders to campus
  • supporting student organizations
  • underwriting student research projects and competitions
  • recruiting new faculty
  • developing new courses
  • funding scholarships

Alumni support is a key indicator used by U.S. News & World Report to determine the value that alumni place on the school. Gifts at any level are greatly appreciated, largely because a greater participation rate enhances the reputation of SPA.

Make Your Gift Online!
Your gift to the SPA supports the development of innovative teaching programs, attracts and retains world-class faculty, provides co-op and internship opportunities, furnishes scholarship support and technology upgrades, and much more.

Planned Gifts
Often the best way to support SPA is through a gift of appreciated stock or an estate gift such as a codicil to your existing will or an annuity gift. Different philanthropic goals and tax benefits may be realized by each of these gift types. Remembering SPA in your will entitles you to membership in American University's Helen Kettler Palmer Society. We appreciate your support through your giving to SPA.

Success Story

Cochairs from the Class of ’99 attended the Ten Year Reunion at the 4Ps in Cleveland Park.  From left: Greg Graumann, Ann Marie Sharratt, and Justin Perillo. 

From Clawed to Counsel: Reunion Leader Reflects on Campus Experience Then and Now

According to Justin Perillo, SPA/BA ’99, WCL/JD ’02, assistant general counsel for the university and a cochair of the 10 Year Reunion, the best part of Alumni Weekend ’09, was “getting a chance to see friends that I have not seen in years.” 

More Success Stories

Beyond Ward Circle

Seth Ingall Tout

Our first edition of Beyond Ward Circle profiles Seth Ingall, who received his B.S. in CLEG from SPA in 1988 and a JD from AU’s Washington College of Law in 1992.

Read More



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