Centers and Institutes

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SupportingCenters and Institutes

At a time when AU鈥檚 research profile has never been higher, the establishment of centers and institutes represents a milestone in AU鈥檚 growth among the nation鈥檚 premier research institutions. Landmark gifts during the Change Can鈥檛 Wait campaign have funded the creation or naming of four centers and institutes鈥攄edicated to cybersecurity, Israel studies, policy innovation, and entrepreneurship鈥攃atalyzing initiatives that convene and empower practitioners, thought leaders, and students with evidence-based knowledge and technical skills integral to today鈥檚 most urgent solutions. Together, AU鈥檚 centers and institutes advance discovery and prepare a capable, compassionate workforce of AU graduates.

Change Created

Launched the Sine Institute for Policy and Politics as a laboratory for collaboration, innovation, and discourse across academia, arts, business, media, and politics. Its flagship Fellows and Distinguished Lecturers鈥攃omprising today鈥檚 industry luminaries鈥攈ost a full calendar of student and public programming on today鈥檚 most pressing topics for upwards of 2,300 participants each year.
Unveiled the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship, renaming the AU Center for Innovation and establishing it as a catalyst for cross-campus opportunities for aspiring student entrepreneurs through pitch competitions, specialized curricula and mentorships, and an enhanced incubator program. With 30 active student ventures and a track record of aggregate revenues exceeding $30 million, it is among an elite group of named entrepreneurship centers across business schools.
Named the Meltzer Schwartzberg Center for Israel Studies on the 25th anniversary of the center鈥檚 founding to invest in its pioneering legacy of bridge-building and global dialogue. The naming, along with the endowed Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Professorship and support for conferences, study abroad, and more, strengthened the center鈥檚 distinction in modern-day Israel and Jewish studies.
Created the Shahal M. Khan Cyber and Economic Security Institute in partnership with Cyber Range Solutions to transform cyber education in the context of national security and economic policy, featuring a state-of-the-art cyber range with hands-on threat simulation training for AU students, faculty, and outside professionals. Advancing an inclusive cybersecurity workforce upholds AU鈥檚 commitment to the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy to help equip every 猫咪社区app with cyber skills.

At AU, we are building a future that fosters vital collaboration and breaks down disciplinary silos for our students, faculty, and broader community. Centers and institutes funded through the Change Can鈥檛 Wait campaign transform our ability to ensure our faculty have the resources and infrastructure they need to redefine what discovery means for their respective fields. I鈥檓 proud of the impact we are making each day in preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs, practitioners, and technical experts ready to solve the challenges of tomorrow.

Vicky Wilkins, Acting Provost