New chancellor appointed at American University of Sharjah

Gulf Today Report

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of the American University of Sharjah (AUS), has approved the appointment of Dr. Susan Mumm as the new chancellor of AUS. Dr. Mumm will assume her duties in August 2021.

In a message to the AUS community, the Sharjah Ruler said that the new chancellor was identified after an extensive international search. The university's Board of Trustees approved Dr. Mumm’s appointment upon the recommendation of the board's Chancellor Search Committee.

"Susan has extensive experience in higher education and is an accomplished historian. She is well prepared to lead AUS through the next phase of development,” said His Highness Sheikh Sultan. "We also want to express our sincere appreciation to Prof. Kevin Mitchell for remarkable commitment to the university during his period of service as Chancellor. Prof. Mitchell, who has served AUS and held various administrative roles since 1999, will return to his faculty appointment in the College of Architecture, Art and Design."

Susan Mumm began her academic career at York University in Canada, and she has also served as a faculty member and Head of Department at the Open University in the United Kingdom. Most recently, she served as Principal of Brescia University College, part of the University of Western Ontario. 

Prior to that, she was Dean of Arts and Science at Queen’s University of Kingston. She previously served in senior leadership roles at Massey University in New Zealand, and Mount Saint Vincent University in Canada. Dr. Mumm holds a DPhil in History at the University of Sussex and an MA in History and a BA in English (Honours) and History (High Honours) from the University of Saskatchewan. She was a Commonwealth Scholar and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Dr Mumm thanked His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for the trust and confidence placed in her, and stated her commitment to contributing to achieving the vision that Sheikh Sultan had established for AUS. “It is the greatest honour of my career to be appointed to this leadership role at AUS," said Dr. Mumm.  “I look forward to joining such a vibrant, highly respected, and ambitious institution that has earned a reputation for excellence in the region and beyond.”  Dr. Mumm’s priorities will include advancing the mission of AUS, continuing to enhance the student experience and fostering the university’s research agenda.