Al Akhawayn University in Morocco Appoints New VPAA
We are delighted to announce that Professor Hariclea Zengos has been appointed as the next Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI).


We are delighted to announce that Professor Hariclea Zengos has been appointed as the next Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI).
Established nearly 30 years ago, AUI is an independent, public, not-for-profit, coeducational university, on an American liberal arts model. Based in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, it currently has over 4,000 students enrolled across three schools and a language centre. Its medium of instruction is English.
The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPPA) is the University’s Chief Academic Officer and reports directly to the University President. The VPAA is also an integral part of the President’s Cabinet. AUI sees the entire student experience in a holistic manner and progress has been tied to close collaboration between the leadership of Academic Affairs and Student Life.
Professor Zengos emerged as the successful candidate after an extensive and robust recruitment process overseen by the executive search firm Society (www.society-search.com).
Born in the United States to parents of Greek origin, Hariclea grew up in Massachusetts and gained a PhD in English from Tufts University, as well as an MEd in Higher Education from Harvard. She spent 28 years at the American College of Greece just outside Athens, before leading the Liberal Arts Programme for Northwestern University in Qatar. Since 2022, she has been Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences & Professor of English at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) in the United Arab Emirates.
Professor Zengos commented:
“I am thrilled to join Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane at this pivotal time. The University's compelling vision to serve as a beacon in the Middle East and Africa for 21st Century liberal arts education deeply resonates with my commitment to transformative holistic education. I look forward to contributing to AUI's strategic plan and collaborating with faculty and leadership to enhance academic excellence, student success, and regional impact.”