The Board of Trustees of the American University in Kosovo Foundation is pleased to announce the unanimous appointment of Dr. Albina Balidemaj-Basha as the next President of RIT Kosovo (A.U.K.), effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Balidemaj-Basha’s appointment follows the completion of a comprehensive international search process led by a five-member Search Committee of the Board of Trustees. The multi-phase process included a public call for applications, structured evaluation of nearly 60 candidates through a weighted leadership assessment framework, and multiple rounds of interviews. Finalists participated in extensive discussions with university administration and faculty leadership, alumni, student representatives, industry partners, and representatives of Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT Kosovo’s academic partner.
Throughout the process, Dr. Balidemaj-Basha distinguished herself through her strategic vision, integrity, academic leadership, and longstanding commitment to student success and institutional excellence. Her deep understanding of the university’s culture and mission, combined with her distinguished academic and administrative experience, positioned her as the unanimous choice of both the Search Committee and the Board of Trustees to lead the university into the next phase of its strategic framework, “RIT Kosovo 2030 and beyond.”
Dr. Balidemaj-Basha currently serves as Dean of Faculty at RIT Kosovo, where she has played a central role in strengthening academic programs and the curriculum, advancing institutional development, supporting faculty excellence, and fostering a dynamic and student-centered academic environment. Her professional and academic career spans decades of teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and university leadership, reflecting a profound commitment to higher education and to the mission of RIT Kosovo.
Dr. Balidemaj-Basha earned her Ph.D. from Clemson University and her bachelor’s degree from University of Minnesota, experiences that helped shape her longstanding commitment to education, leadership, and community engagement. She later served as a research affiliate at Yale University, where she further expanded her interdisciplinary and international perspective on higher education, mental health, and social impact. Her scholarly and professional work has focused on resilience, community well-being, trauma-informed approaches, and the transformative role of education in individual and societal development.
As one of the early academic leaders who helped shape the university during its formative years, Dr. Balidemaj-Basha has been part of the RIT Kosovo community for nearly two decades. Her long-standing service has given her a uniquely deep understanding of the university’s academic culture, community, and role in advancing American-style higher education in Kosovo and the broader region. Over the years, she has contributed extensively to the university’s growth through teaching, curriculum development, faculty mentorship, student support, and institutional leadership, helping guide RIT Kosovo into its current position as one of the region’s most respected higher education institutions.
As President, Dr. Balidemaj-Basha will oversee the academic and operational leadership of the university, ensure implementation of the strategic priorities established by the Board of Trustees, and continue close collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology to uphold the institution’s U.S.-accredited academic standards while advancing its mission throughout Kosovo and the region.
Dr. Balidemaj-Basha will serve as the fifth President of RIT Kosovo and the first Albanian American to lead the institution.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Albina Balidemaj-Basha on her appointment. The Board of Trustees and the broader RIT Kosovo community look forward to the university’s next chapter under her leadership - one grounded in academic excellence, institutional growth, student success, and continued commitment to meaningful societal impact.
