The Year in Review

In a year that brought the world to Paris, AUP served as a global meeting place for students, academics, creatives, and bold ideas. Here we look back at 12 months of life on campus.

FALL SEMESTER 2024

Paris Hosts the 2024 Summer Olympics August 2024

Professor Jurgen Hecker’s Olympic Reporting Practicum offered AUP’s MA in Global Communications students firsthand journalism and communications experience during Olympic events.

AUP Welcomes New Leadership September 2024

The University welcomed Provost Hannah Westley, Chief Financial Officer MarieLaure Nave and Associate Vice President for Student Life Audrey Kajumbula.

Celebrating James Baldwin September 2024

AUP celebrated Baldwin’s legacy by hosting the exhibit Frontline Prophet, honoring his life and ongoing cultural impact. Firstyear students read his Encounter on the Seine as AUP’s first-ever common read.

Academic Innovation October 2024

AUP introduced new majors and minors in Fashion Studies, Quantitative Economics & Finance, and Global French Studies, and launched the MFA in Creative Writing that welcomes its inaugural class in Fall 2025.

AUP Launches New Strategic Plan October 2024

The University launched its new strategic plan, THRIVE 2024–29, emphasizing enhanced student experiences, sustainable growth, new partnerships and increased global recognition.

Voices of the Global Majority December 2024

Voices of the Global Majority, a new club amplifying underrepresented perspectives, hosted its first student-led conference with talks, performances, and visual art.

Spring Semester 2025

RNCP Accreditation Renewed January 2025

AUP’s MA in Global Communications and MSc in Strategic Brand Management have renewed the prestigious French RNCP accreditation, which enhances employment opportunities in France for graduates.

Gold Thread Exhibition at Musée du Quai Branly February 2025

Professor Magali An Berthon cocurated Au fil de l’or, a Musée du Quai Branly exhibition explored by AUP’s Fashion Studies students as part of their coursework.

AUP Students Win at Model UN April 2025

Artem Atamanov, Angel Karchev and Carson Hall won “Best Delegate” at the prestigious 2025 UAB Model United Nations competition, surpassing over 160 delegates from leading global universities.

Interdisciplinary Environmental Collaboration April 2025

Professor Elena Berg, AUP Green, and student senators led an interdisciplinary poster project involving over 150 students promoting environmental awareness and action.

AUP Hosts “Narrative Matters” Conference May 2025

The George and Irina Schaeffer Center for the Study of Genocide, Human Rights and Conflict Prevention brought over 300 international scholars to AUP for discussions on “Crisis, Conflict, and the Possibility of Hope.”

Three Visionaries Awarded Honorary Degrees May 2025

AUP honored artist Julien Creuzet, writer Édouard Louis, and scholar Marina Warner BY recognizing their boundarychallenging work that provokes reflection and imagination, and sheds light on complex histories and human experiences.