Dr. Robbie Totten Promoted to Provost at American Jewish University

LOS ANGELES — American Jewish University (AJU) announced today the promotion of Dr. Robbie Totten to the role of Provost. In this position, Dr. Totten will lead strategic planning, academic innovation, faculty recruitment, program development, and accreditation oversight, ensuring AJU’s academic excellence and alignment with its mission.

“Dr. Totten is the ideal leader to reimagine the future of our academic vision,” said Jay Sanderson, President of American Jewish University. “Robbie has already helped AJU reshape what Jewish higher education looks like—expanding access, introducing doctoral study, and launching innovative programs that meet this moment. As Provost, he will be at the forefront of building the Jewish future and developing the leaders of tomorrow.”

Dr. Totten is a scholar and strategic academic leader who has served as AJU’s Chief Academic Officer and Vice President of Academic Affairs for over five years, overseeing all for-credit academic programs and helping shape the University’s educational vision—responsibilities he continues in his enhanced role as Provost. He joined AJU in 2014 as a Political Science faculty member, later chaired the department, and earned tenure as Associate Professor of Politics & Global Studies.

“American Jewish University is redefining Jewish education for the 21st century—accessible, innovative, and mission-driven, with a clear focus on the future of Jewish life in North America,” said Dr. Robbie Totten. “As Provost, I’m honored to work alongside our strong and dedicated faculty and leadership team to educate and inspire the next generation of Rabbis, educators, professionals, and lay leaders.”

During his time at AJU, Dr. Totten has played a key role in expanding the University’s national reach by transitioning many academic programs to thoughtfully designed online formats, while preserving in-person instruction where essential to learning outcomes. He helped reestablish doctoral-level programs at the University for the first time in decades, helped launch innovative undergraduate initiatives such as the Jewish Learning Experience, and collaborated with colleagues in the Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership to position AJU as a global leader in Jewish early childhood education. As Provost, he continues to advance AJU’s mission to foster Jewish knowledge, identity, and leadership.
Dr. Totten holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from UCLA and a B.A. in the same field from Duke University. He was named a 2023–2024 ACE Fellow by the American Council on Education and will continue to serve as AJU’s Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) to the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

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��ɫ��Ƶ AJU: American Jewish University (AJU) is a thriving center of resources and talent that advances the Jewish journeys of individuals, organizations, and our community through excellence in scholarship, teaching, engaged conversation, experiential education, and outreach. AJU equips students, faculty, campers, and learners of all ages with the tools to create the ideas, build the structures, and develop the programs to advance Jewish wisdom and elevate our world. For more information, visit www.aju.edu.