Executive Leadership at AIU

Mr. Richard Johnson
Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Richard Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of American International University – Kuwait (AIU) . Prior to being named the CEO in 2024 Mr. Johnson held the following positions at AIU the Executive Vice President, the Vice President and the Associate Vice President for Campus Safety and Facilities.

Mr. Johnson’s additional academic leadership roles include dean positions at some of the most elite universities in the United States including Northwestern University, The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Business, and Harry S Truman College. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Knox College and his Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Illinois Chicago. Mr. Johnson is committed to unleashing the untapped potential of the next generation leaders and launched both the world’s first remote circumpolar innovation center for the Dene First Nation as well as the first Future Think Career Lab at Lincoln College.

Dr. Fayza Al-Kharafi

President

Dr. Fayza Al-Kharafi is a leading Kuwaiti chemist and academic. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Ain Shams University in Cairo, she attended Kuwait University, earning both her Masters and PhD.

In 1993, shortly after the first Gulf War, an Emiri Decree was issued naming Dr. Al-Kharafi the first female president of Kuwait University, the first female head of any major university in the Middle East, and the first woman to obtain the rank of Minister in Kuwait. She would serve Kuwait University as President until 2002, helping to rebuild the university after the war and overseeing its growth to over 20,000 students.

Her proven leadership and deep understanding of AIU’s mission ensure a smooth transition and strong commitment to our community's continued growth and success.