Professor Victoria C. Fontan, PhD, EdD, serves as Rector of the American University of Technology (AUT). An internationally recognized higher education leader, scholar, and peacebuilding practitioner, she brings more than two decades of experience leading universities and educational initiatives across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and conflict-affected environments.
Prior to joining AUT, Professor Fontan served as Rector of the American University of Malta and as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the American University of Afghanistan, where she led academic operations, institutional development, accreditation initiatives, and international partnerships.
She is the co-founder and co-chair of the Alliance for the Education of Women in Afghanistan (AEWA), a global coalition of more than 150 organizations supporting educational opportunities for approximately 900,000 Afghan women and girls.
Professor Fontan has worked with international organizations including the OSCE and the United Nations-mandated University for Peace. A published author and researcher, her work focuses on peacebuilding, higher education leadership, and post-conflict recovery.
She is a Fellow of the Center for South Asia at Stanford University and has completed executive leadership studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In recognition of her contributions to education and academic leadership, she was named a Knight of the Order of Academic Palms by the French Republic.
At AUT, Professor Fontan is committed to advancing academic excellence, innovation, student success, and international collaboration.
