GLENDALE, California — Over 100 AUA Pillars, ChangeMakers, and guests gathered for an exclusive evening hosted by ServiceTitan at its Glendale headquarters, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing the mission of the American University of Armenia (AUA). Held during AUA’s 35th anniversary year, the event brought together University leadership, trustees, alumni, and campaign supporters to reflect on the University’s progress and future direction.
The evening was graciously hosted by AUA ChangeMakers Vahe Kuzoyan and Ara Mahdessian, co-founders of ServiceTitan, whose continued leadership and partnership reflect the collaborative spirit that defines the AUA community.
In his opening remarks, Kuzoyan, who also serves on the AUA Board of Trustees, emphasized the critical role of education in strengthening Armenia’s economic future.
“The reason why I am passionate about AUA and why I support the University is straightforward: I believe that without education, you can’t have a strong economy, particularly in our context, of an economy that needs to be technology driven. Being able to help many Armenians acquire as many skills as possible that will be relevant in today’s world is really important. Today, ServiceTitan employs 171 AUA graduates in our Yerevan office, an example of how education translates into opportunity.”
With AUA entering the second year of its Strategic Plan implementation, President Dr. Bruce Boghosian highlighted the University’s achievements and strategic priorities, engaging guests in a thoughtful discussion about AUA’s continued growth and long-term vision. “As we approach AUA’s 35th anniversary, we are proud of how far the University has come. None of this would be possible without our dedicated community of supporters. Today, I am happy to share that our 200 ChangeMakers campaign has officially crossed the halfway mark, and we have reached 100 ChangeMakers.”
The program also featured alumni reflections highlighting AUA’s lasting impact. Anahit Baghdasaryan (LL.M. ’16), now pursuing her J.D. at the University of Southern California, spoke about the culture of excellence she experienced as a student.
“AUA taught me lessons that I carry with me every day. It taught me how to think critically, how to communicate professionally, and how to believe that Armenians can succeed anywhere in the world without losing who we are.”
AUA alumnus Arman Dzhraghatspanyan (MPSIA ’24) shared that his decision to study in Armenia following the 44-day war was driven by a desire to better understand the region’s political history and learn about the roots of the conflict from former government officials and local experts. He expressed his commitment to remain engaged with the University as a graduate and future ChangeMaker.
In closing, Zaven P. Akian, chairman of the AUA Board of Trustees, underscored the importance of sustained partnership and long-term investment in education in Armenia.
“Your support is what keeps the University strong, resilient, and able to look ahead with confidence. In Armenia, education is the most powerful long-term investment we can make. When we support AUA, we are strengthening the future capacity of a nation.”
The evening also welcomed a new family to the 200 AUA ChangeMakers community. Inspired by her experience teaching a seminar at AUA in fall 2025, Olivia Ohanian, a young attorney from California, announced that she and her sister, Emma, would be joining the group.
As AUA marks its 35th anniversary, this private gathering served as a platform to express gratitude and engage its philanthropic community in meaningful dialogue with University leadership, reaffirming AUA’s commitment to pave the way for the future leaders of Armenia.
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. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.
