YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lilit Makunts, Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia (RA) to the AUA Fund (AUAF) Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in the growth and development of the University, and together, its members’ combined experience and efforts help guide AUA in making strategic decisions that will continue to lead the University in its long-range planning and its sustained commitment to academic excellence. The members of the Board help shape AUA’s policies, ensure the University’s financial health, and maintain its position as a premier institution of higher education in Armenia. With their expertise in their respective fields, the new members bring unique perspectives to complement a novel approach to AUA’s path to growth.
AUAF was founded by the Republic of Armenia and the American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC), hence AUAF has two founders. The Board of Trustees is the highest governing and supervisory body of the Fund. The AUAF Board of Trustees consist of seven members. Five members are appointed by the AUAC and the other two by the Government of the RA. If a member’s position becomes vacant, the respective founder proposes a new member. The proposed candidacy of a new member of the Board of Trustees is approved by the Board by a 2/3 majority vote of the members of the Board.
Dr. Makunts succeeds the late Dr. Yuri Sargsyan, AUA co-founder, Board member, and former rector of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia.
Dr. Makunts brings to the Board an extensive record of service in Armenia’s public sector. She served as Minister of Culture in 2018-2019, subsequently was elected to the National Assembly and became the majority leader of the My Step parliamentary alliance. In 2021, she was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America. Makunts holds a Ph.D. in philological sciences and has taught at the Russian Armenian University, where her work bridged discourse analysis, language, sociolinguistics, cognitive linguistics, and political communication.
Reflecting on her appointment, Dr. Makunts shared: “In stepping into this role, I expect to draw on the parts of my experience that have shaped me not just as a public servant, but as a person. Over the years, I have learned the value of listening before leading, of finding common purpose among people with different perspectives, and of creating environments where others feel seen, supported, and able to grow. Those lessons have stayed with me from classrooms to government offices to diplomatic halls, and they are the ones I bring with me to the Board. Whether in government, diplomacy, or academia, I have learned that real progress begins when we take the time to understand one another and create space for people to grow. I hope to bring that same approach to the Board. AUA is more than an institution; it holds a special place in our country’s life and in our higher education system. It opens doors for young people, broadens their horizons, and helps them imagine a future that might once have felt out of reach. To be a part of that effort and supporting AUA’s long-term vision feels deeply meaningful to me.”
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.