Dr. Dawn Jeanine Dekle, a transformative force in international higher education and a cherished member of the American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB), passed away in San Diego, California, on May 26, 2025. She was 58.
Dr. Dekle served AUIB from October 14, 2021, to December 10, 2023, first as Dean of the College of Law and later as Vice President for Academic Affairs. In both roles, she helped lay the academic and structural foundation for a university still in its formative years, guiding curriculum development, academic policy, and strategic planning.
“Dawn Dekle was a builder—not just of programs and policies, but of people and purpose. Her leadership at AUIB and across the world leaves an indelible legacy.”
— Dr. Michael W. Mulnix, First President, AUIB
Her tenure at AUIB followed a remarkable global career in university leadership. She was the first woman to serve as president of an Iraqi university at the American University of Iraq – Sulaimani, and later led institutions in Nigeria, Mongolia, and Afghanistan. At the American University of Nigeria, she launched a new School of Engineering, established education programs for the released Chibok girls who had been held captive by ISIS and expanded international funding through her leadership. At the time of her death, she was Dean of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego.
Dr. Dekle’s academic background was as impressive as her professional one. She earned a J.D. from Stanford University, a Ph.D. in Psychology from Dartmouth College, and a B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University. Her early career included faculty roles in the U.S. and Singapore, where she developed pioneering leadership and ethics programs and won multiple teaching awards.
“Dr. Dekle was a citizen of the world and a servant of knowledge. Her work advanced the mission of education in some of the world’s most complex regions. She will be missed, deeply.”
— Dr. Zouhair Atieh, Vice-President for Academic Affairs
She was known for her courage, her intellect, and her unwavering belief that education is a tool for peacebuilding and progress. Whether drafting a strategic plan, mentoring a young faculty member, or advocating for students in underserved communities, Dr. Dekle led with purpose and grace.
Her influence spanned continents, but at AUIB she played a defining role in helping the university take its first bold steps.
Dr. Dekle is survived by her family, her friends, and the global community of educators, students, and colleagues she inspired.