As a child in western New York, Jon Alger was captivated by Washington’s history. As a political science major at Swarthmore College, he aspired to move to the seat of the federal government. And as a young attorney fresh out of Harvard Law School, he landed his first job at a downtown firm before taking a position at the US Department of Education.

Now, as American University’s 16th president, Alger is back in the city that captured his imagination, launched his career, and shaped his passion for higher education. In his new role, which he began on July 1, Alger will help prepare Eagles equally drawn to DC to embark on lives of purpose and service. 

“AU’s location excites me. Its mission and history excite me,” he said. Leading the institution, elevating its reputation, and expanding its impact “is a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” 

Alger spent about a decade in Washington before his career in higher education took him to the University of Michigan, Rutgers, and, finally, James Madison University, where he served as president for the last 12 years. He plans to get to know his new academic home by embarking on a listening tour that will stretch into the fall semester.

Alger said he wants to learn about the AU community’s “hopes and aspirations for the university and its future” and how Eagles “want to use their education, skills, and talents to make a positive different in society.” But he will start by getting to know faculty, staff, students, alumni, and neighbors as people.

“There will be plenty of time to discuss the issues. I think you have to begin by building relationships, one person at a time,” he said. 

Alger, who “[doesn’t] like to just sit in my office,” also wants to get to know every corner of campus by meeting community members where they are, from the basketball court to the classroom and the science labs to the library.

He and his wife of 27 years, Mary Ann—who met and married at National Presbyterian Church, just blocks from AU— are avid sports fans. “I’ll come home [from work] and Mary Ann’s watching the NCAA baseball playoffs or the Softball World Series. She’s hooked,” Alger said with a warm laugh. 

“We can’t wait to see all the AU teams in action over the course of the next year, and I encourage the entire AU community to join us,” he said. “[Athletics] helps build school spirit and a sense of community, which are very important to me.” 

The couple are also longtime patrons of the arts. “One of our great escapes is going to the theater—it’s just a matter of what we can cram into our schedule,” said Alger, himself an accomplished choral singer. They recently saw Tony Award–winning The Outsiders on Broadway and are eager to take in more shows on a stage closer to home at the Katzen Arts Center.

“I’m hoping that other people from AU will want to partake in some of these performances with us,” he said with a smile.

Alger’s return to DC is in many ways a homecoming. “There are some things that look very familiar and others that have changed quite a bit. We still have many wonderful friends here—we’re all just a bit grayer,” he said with a chuckle.

Similarly, Alger’s perspective on the city he now calls home (again) has also changed.

“As a kid, I remember loving the grandeur of the monuments. It was as if history came to life for me. I would look at those places and think, ‘Oh, that’s where all the important people are making decisions.’ It felt distant,” he said.

“Now, as an adult, there’s a recognition that, ‘No, this is really us. This is our capital, and ordinary citizens have a very important role to play.’ It’s our job to prepare students to be those engaged citizens.”