AUA Delegation Attends USAID/ASHA Annual Conference, Meets with Congressmen, Armenian Leadership, and Local Alumni in Washington, D.C.

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WASHINGTON, DC – In March 2015, a delegation of representatives of the American University of Armenia (AUA) made a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with key members of Congress, as well as attend the USAID American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) 2015 Annual Conference. Members of the delegation included Vice President of Operations Ashot Ghazaryan, Vice President of Development and External Relations Lorraine Alexander, and Assistant Director of Development Matt Senekeremian.

While in D.C., the group met with Congressman Robert Dold (Illinois), Senator Diane Feinstein (California), Senator Ed Markey (Massachusetts), and Armenian-American Congresswoman Jackie Speier (California) to highlight AUA and lobby for  increased funding for ASHA, which has given over $11 million to AUA for various construction and renovation projects over two decades, the most recent being the newly announced Innovation and Technology Incubation Center.

USAID/ASHA Director Kate Crawford says she plans to visit AUA this May and looks forward to meeting with President Der Kiureghian, the faculty, and staff members to assess ASHA’s impact on AUA and the region. The university was chosen as a Partner Spotlight in the 2013-2014 USAID/ASHA bi-annual report and also recently won first place in a photo contest organized by the agency. The winning photo captures the wonderful expression of an 11 year old schoolchild visiting and exploring the books at AUA’s AGBU Papazian Library.

The delegation also visited the National Press Club, where they were hosted by David and Leda Zenian, as well as visited the headquarters of the Armenian National Committee, where they met with Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian and Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian.  

The delegation visited Soorp Khatch Armenian Church and, on Palm Sunday, March 29th, visited St. Mary’s Armenian Church, where they attended services, met with the community, and presented AUA. The delegation also used the opportunity to meet with AUA alumni currently living and working in the Washington, D.C. area.

Anna Hakobyan, an AUA alumna who had the opportunity to speak with the delegation, was so inspired by the meeting that she decided to launch an AUA Washington Alumni Club, which will have its first meeting in May and aims to encourage other alumni around the U.S. to form similar clubs.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

 

Ashot Ghazaryan and Lorraine Alexander with AUA’s First Place photo

AUA staff enjoy a working breakfast with David  Zenian (from left) and alumna Anna Hakobyan, who decided to launch the AUA Washington Alumni Club.

VP of Operations Ashot Ghazaryan, Senator Ed Markey ( D- Mass.), VP of Development Lorraine Alexander, and Assistant Director of Development Matt Senekeremian outside the Senate Chambers in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.