College of Arts & Sciences
Biology, Space, and the Mind
Journey beyond Earth to explore stars, galaxies, planets, and the origins of the universe while examining how space science, policy, and industry shape the modern space enterprise. Students will learn how astronomers and space scientists use telescopes, spacecraft, and data analysis to answer fundamental questions about the cosmos, alongside an introduction to space law, governance, and the rapidly evolving space economy. The course highlights the roles of NASA and adjacent public and private sector organizations in exploration, research, and commercialization. Through hands-on observational, data-driven, and design-based activities, students will engage with real mission data, simulate space missions, and consider the scientific, technological, ethical, and societal impacts of humanity's expanding presence in space.
Dr. Aaron Grocholski
Aaron Grocholski is a Professorial Lecturer at American University focusing on teaching Introductory Astronomy, Astrophysics, and a complex problems class he developed called "Asteroid Apocalypse" which addresses the issues surrounding the possibility of a future asteroid impact with Earth. He earned his PhD in observational astronomy with his research focused on what we can learn about the local Universe by studying stellar populations in relatively nearby galaxies. He is also interested in near Earth asteroids and the various facets of planetary defense that must work together to mitigate the effects of a potential impact with Earth. Aaron joined the Department of Physics in August 2017.
- PhD Astronomy, U. of Florida
- MS Astronomy, U. of Florida
- BS Physics, Georgia Southern U.
Step into the world of biotechnology and discover how science becomes innovation. This program invites students to explore biotechnology through hands-on laboratory experiences that bring biology to life. Students will work in real university labs, learning essential techniques, while uncovering how these tools are used to solve pressing challenges in medicine, sustainability, and human health. Beyond the lab bench, the program offers a big-picture view of biotechnology—connecting scientific discovery to industry, policy, and society. Students will learn about the many career pathways that biotechnology makes possible, from research and healthcare to entrepreneurship, regulation, and data-driven science, while building valuable skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, scientific communication, and ethical decision-making. Guided by faculty, participants will gain confidence, curiosity, and a clearer sense of how their interests can grow into meaningful futures in biotechnology.
Dr. Michele Lansigan
Michele Lansigan received her BS degree in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines-Los Banos where she also spent three years as a full time instructor teaching General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry laboratory courses. She was then accepted as a graduate fellow at Georgetown University where she worked with manganese-iron oxo clusters and evaluated their use as potential contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After obtaining her PhD degree from Georgetown, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio to pursue postdoctoral work at Case Western Reserve University. There, she conducted research on magnetic polymer hybrids for theranostic applications. After doing research for many years, she decided to go back to her original passion, which is teaching. Currently, she teaches Chem 100 (Chemistry in Everyday Life), Chem 150 (Chemistry of Cooking), Chem 250 (Criminalistics, Crime and Society) and an AU Core Complex Problems course on nanotechnology entitled "Small Things with Big Impact".
- PhD Chemistry, Georgetown University
- BS Chemistry, University of the Philippines Los Banos
Discover how the brain gives rise to behavior, thought, and emotion through an integrated study of neuroscience and psychology. Students will explore brain structure and function, neural communication, and how these processes influence learning, mental health, and decision-making. The course highlights current research and real-world applications in medicine, learning, and technology.
Dr. Lynne Arneson
Following an education in the Midwest culminating in a PhD in Cell Biology at the University of Chicago, Professor Arneson began teaching students in the Department of Biology at American University in 2001. She became the Premedical Programs Coordinator in the summer of 2008, helping students prepare for and apply to medical school and other graduate health professional programs. After helping to develop the curriculum for the new undergraduate Public Health Program, She became the Interim Director of the program in 2011.
- PhD, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago
- MS, University of Cincinnati, Department of Biology
- BS, BSc, Biology Department, Indiana University
KOGOD School of Business
Entrepreneurship, Finance & Sports
Entrepreneurship gives you the chance to turn a passion or problem you care about into a real venture idea that could make the world better. In this course at American University in Washington, DC, you will explore how entrepreneurs design sustainable, impactful solutions while learning the basics of business models, customers, and value. Through hands-on activities, case studies, and guidance from guest speakers connected to DC's startup and innovation ecosystem, you will see how new ideas become viable organizations in the real world. Working in teams, you will practice key leadership skills—like collaboration, pitching, and decision-making—as you develop and present your own startup concepts in a city known for its energy, diversity, and opportunities to create change.
Danielle Vogel
Danielle Vogel joined Kogod's Management Department faculty in 2022. Her classes focus primarily on the intersection between entrepreneurship and sustainability. She also serves as the Assistant Director of the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship, where she helps run the AU Business Incubator. Prior to joining our faculty, she founded and operated a climate change motivated grocery store called Glen's Garden Market in Dupont Circle. Glen’s was beloved locally and recognized nationally as a leader in sustainability and innovation. She sold the business in 2021. Through Glen’s, Danielle helped to launch over 90 local food businesses, of which more than 50 were woman-owned and nearly 25 were founded by people of color. She also founded a pitch competition called AccelerateHERdc to identify, incubate and accelerate lady-led local businesses, which were making significant and actionable sustainability commitments. Before founding Glen's, Danielle worked to pass comprehensive climate legislation as a staff to both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate. She also served as a Trial Attorney within the Environmental Enforcement Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition to teaching at the Kogod School of business, Danielle also teaches at the Washington College of Law. She earned her BA from Tufts University and her JD from the Washington College of Law.
This course introduces how money moves through businesses and markets in a way that feels practical and hands-on. You will learn core ideas like how companies raise money, what drives stock prices, and how investors evaluate risk and return through real-world examples and discussion. An interactive investment simulation will let you build and manage a mock portfolio, react to market news, and see how your decisions play out over time. Throughout the program, you will work in teams, practice data-informed decision-making, and develop confidence in financial conversations that matter in business and beyond.
Dr. Timothy Timura, CFA, CAIA
Dr. Timura brings over thirty years of investment management experience from Federated Investors, Principal Financial, and the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio. A 2018 Fulbright recipient and three-time AU Kogod Undergraduate Professor of the Year (2022–2024), he is known for bridging the professional, academic, and government worlds — what he calls "The Timura Trilogy."
Step into the business side of sports while building real leadership skills you can use right away. Working in teams on simulations, case studies, and group projects, you'll mirror the decisions made in today's front offices and agencies. The course covers how professional and collegiate organizations operate, including revenue generation (tickets, media rights, sponsorships, and merchandising), marketing and fan engagement, budgeting, and the strategic role of the front office. Students will also explore Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and how it is reshaping college athletics and athlete opportunities. To connect classroom learning with real-world practice, students will participate in experiential site visits to Nationals Park and Audi Field, hearing directly from sports industry professionals about careers and day-to-day operations.
Matthew Bakowicz
Matthew Bakowicz is Program Director of the Sports Business Management track within American University’s Business & Entertainment Major and a faculty member in Management Department of the Kogod School of Business. He brings more than a decade of leadership experience in the gaming and sports industry, most recently serving as Manager of Gaming Operations at Foxwoods Resort Casino, where he oversaw DraftKings Sportsbook and Racebook operations, risk management, staffing, and loyalty program initiatives.
- M.S. in Recreation, Park, Tourism Management and Hospitality and Human Resources, The Pennsylvania State University
- B.S. in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University
School of International Service
Diplomacy & Global Security
Diplomacy has been a significant form of interaction between sovereign entities since antiquity. In our time of tremendous social, political, and economic change, diplomacy persists as a prominent feature of international relations. It has been alternatively reviled as facilitating war and misperception, too antiquated to mitigate global issues, yet also praised as the only useful process for peace and effective communication. In this course, we explore how scholars and practitioners have viewed diplomacy, offering arguments about its function, practice, limits, and response to change.
This course introduces students to the study of peace, conflict, and global security through the lens of international affairs. Students explore foundational questions such as: What is peace? Why do conflicts occur? How do societies attempt to prevent, manage, or resolve violence at the local, national, and global levels? The course examines different types of conflict—including interstate war, civil conflict, terrorism, and social movements—and introduces core concepts in conflict analysis and resolution. Students consider multiple perspectives on conflict, ranging from individual behavior and identity to political systems, economics, history, and global power dynamics. Using real-world case studies, students develop critical thinking skills by analyzing contemporary global challenges and exploring how diplomacy, international organizations, negotiation, and peacebuilding efforts seek to promote stability and cooperation.
Jeffrey Hallock
Jeffrey Hallock is a PhD candidate studying International Relations at American University’s School of International Service. Jeffrey’s work focuses on the political consequences of anti-corruption reforms. His dissertation project analyzes the impact and legacy of national anti-corruption missions, including the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). Along with his study of corruption and the politics of anti-corruption, Jeffrey is interested in democratization and democratic backsliding.
- B.A. in International Relations, University of San Diego
- M.Sc. in Migration Studies, Oxford University
School of Public Affairs
Politics & Law
This interdisciplinary course will examine the origins and functions of the law, and how it is shaped by—and shapes—society, culture, inequality, and social change. Through an exploration of landmark cases, influential legal theories, and real-world policy debates, students will analyze how legal systems emerge, evolve, and operate within diverse social contexts. Students will investigate the ways laws both reflect and reinforce cultural norms, as well as how communities use law as a tool for advocacy and transformation. Topics may include civil rights, policing and criminal justice, social movements, constitutional interpretation, access to justice, and the role of law in addressing contemporary issues such as technology, inequality, and global human rights.
Kevin Lopez
Kevin P. Lopez is a doctoral student in the department of Justice, Law, and Criminology in the School of Public Affairs. His research interests include the intersection of online behaviors and offline criminal justice involvement, policing and interactions with the community, and mental health. Kevin Lopez holds a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University. During this time, he worked in non-profit pre-trial intervention for defendants with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness.
- M.S. Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University
- B.A. Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University
This course is a broad introduction to U.S. politics, examining the structure of the national government as well as the methods by which citizens interact with it. Students will learn about the following topics: the nation's founding; federalism and the separation of powers; the principal institutions of the U.S. government, including the Presidency, Congress, and Judiciary; civil rights and civil liberties; democratic politics, including elections, political parties, public opinion, and media.
Dr. James Quirk
Professor Jim Quirk teaches a wide range of courses in American and comparative politics. He has served on the AU faculty senate, as a CTRL Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL) Faculty Fellow for 2023-2025, and a Civic Dialogue faculty fellow for 2024-2025. Prof Quirk has developed and taught AU Core courses for Complex Problems, Habits of Mind, and W2 (writing and information literacy). He has been a faculty advisor for the SPA and University student-led organizations. He has published in U.S. and international journals on online learning, comparative nation-building, globalization, and American foreign policy. He is a Fellow with the Institute for Policy Research and has taught at Loyola University Maryland, The Catholic University of America, and the Varna [Bulgaria] Univ. of Economics. He lectures on American federalism at the U.S. Congressional Office for International Leadership. Among his favorite work outside the classroom is experience in Russia, the Balkans, Mexico, Israel/Palestine, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; naval engineering support for The Bishop Group; Middle East Dialogue at Catholic University; ICANN MEAC SWG; and working with AU's Center for Teaching, Research and Learning. He received the 2022 SPA Award for Outstanding Community Engagement.
- Ph.D., World Politics, M.A., International Political Economy, The Catholic University of America
- B.A., Political Science, Loyola University Maryland