From the halls of MIT to the historic grounds of Franklin and Marshall and Boston College, Matthew Eynon has spent three decades shaping the future of top-tier institutions. Since taking the helm as vice president of University Advancement in June, Eynon now brings that experience to American University.
Here, he shares his road map for driving meaningful impact.
Q. What drew you to AU—especially at this challenging moment for higher education?
A. AU combines the intimacy of a liberal arts college with the resources of an elite R1 research university. With the Civic Life initiative, our strategic plan’s pledge to ensure career readiness, and our prime Washington, DC, location, AU is uniquely positioned to shape policy and demonstrate the value of higher education. As the son of teachers and a parent of two liberal arts graduates, I see this as the embodiment of a true learning community—and I am honored to be here.
Q. What excites you about the impact of philanthropy at AU?
A. University Advancement fuels the very best of AU. Working hand in hand with our community, we deliver tangible impact—from scholarships and campus infrastructure to solutions-oriented research. By engaging volunteers to recruit students and launch careers, we contribute to AU’s broader vitality.
Since the historic $500 million Change Can’t Wait campaign, we have profoundly elevated the role of philanthropy at AU. I am privileged to lead this team as we build on that momentum to unlock even greater opportunities for our students, faculty, alumni, parents, and donors.
Q. How do you plan to engage AU’s 160,000 alumni across the United States and around the world?
A. Alumni are our most dedicated partners, supporting students through mentorship, scholarships, and career pathways. Leveraging the insights from the 2025 alumni survey, we are launching three new initiatives to activate this engagement and energy: Show Up for AU, 3,500xFY30 volunteer activation, and Power Up the DMV! We invite you step up and join us—starting with a look at what we learned from the survey.
Q. What are the best ways for alumni to support the Show Up for AU campaign?
A. AU is a connection for life. The easiest way to help is to broadcast your pride: Wear the gear, update your LinkedIn profile, and tell your story. Your success is our greatest endorsement, helping students and employers find you while elevating your degree’s global value. Beyond visibility, we encourage you to step up: Mentor a student, offer an internship, serve on a volunteer advisory board, promote AU on your social media channels, or support the university philanthropically. Whether you recruit talent from campus, host an event, or join a local chapter, come back often—and bring a friend!
Your Vision, Our Future
Eagles are known for their sharp vision, so last spring, we asked for yours.
When we reached out to our 160,000-strong community to better understand your needs, you responded in record numbers. Nearly 5,000 alumni participated, marking a 118 percent increase over our 2016 survey.
We are grateful for your input and are already using your feedback to build a stronger, more connected alumni community.
Here are a few of the highlights:
85% of alumni have a good to excellent opinion of AU.
89% of alumni feel philanthropy at all levels is critical to advancing AU’s mission
50% of alumni feel moderately to highly connected to AU—we’re creating ways to engage more of you
65% of alumni read American magazine.
- Your Strongest Ties: the student experience, campus, your school or college, your degree program
- Your Top Priorities: strengthening academic programs, improving access to financial aid, enhancing AU’s reputation
In Your Own Words
Lasting Memories and Friendships
“I was a transfer student with no friends and had moved to DC from California. When I joined rugby, I immediately gained 30-plus friends and a network I use to this day.” —2010s graduate
“Made the best friends for life!” —1960s graduate
Internships and Networking
“AU provided a wonderful experience for internship opportunities.” — 1970s graduate
Alumni Events and Engagement
“Would love additional opportunities for alumni to participate in similar listening initiatives (and this survey is a great start), with the understanding that alumni are also significant stakeholders in their institutions.” —2020s graduate
Communications and Benefits
“I like reading about the important work being done by alumni.” —1980s graduate
“Access to the library has been extremely helpful.” —1990s graduate