Born in 1953 in Mafraq, Jordan, Prof. Adel Tweissi obtained his Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Jordan (UJ) in 1978, his M.A. in Linguistics from Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA, in 1984, and a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, in 1987.

While studying to obtain his degrees, Prof. Adel taught Arabic to foreign language speakers for three terms at Michigan State University (1982 – 1984), in addition to introductory courses in linguistics at the University of Michigan for four semesters (1984 – 1987).

Tweissi started his academic career in Mu’tah University, Karak Governorate, in 1987, where he was appointed assistant professor in the English Language and Literature Department. While there, he was promoted through the ranks to become a full professor.

Tweissi held many administrative positions at Mu’tah University and other public universities. He was appointed Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (1990), Deputy Dean of Student Affairs (1991), and Dean of the Faculty of Arts (1992 – 1994). After that, He assumed the position of the Assistant President for Development Affairs (1995 – 1996), and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Arts at Mu’tah University/Ma’an Branch (1996–1997).

In 1999, Prof. Adel Tweissi was appointed as the President of Al-Hussein Bin Talal University until 2004.

In 2004, Prof. Tweissi was appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. He also assumed the position of Al Al-Bait University  President for a short period (7 months) before was appointed Minister of Culture (2005 –2007), then, secretary general of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (2008 – 2010).

On September 2010, Prof. Tweissi was appointed as the President of the University of Jordan (UJ). His term at UJ saw the University’s fiftieth anniversary (Golden Jubilee) and the launch of the first strategy to transform UJ into a research university. In 2012, he resigned his position as president of UJ.

He was Chairman of The Board of Trustees of Mu'tah University (April 2013 – April 2014). Also, he served as a Senator at Jordan Upper House Senate Council (2013-2015) and in 2016 he was appointed Minister of Culture.

Tweissi serves as a member in a number of academic societies including the Arabic Linguistics Society, USA, Michigan Linguistics Society, USA, and the Association of Professors of English and Translation in the Arab Universities / Jordan.

He was honored with the Decoration of Independence, First Order, by His Majesty King Abdullah II in appreciation for a job well done in founding Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, a Jordanian public university located in the Maan City in the southern part of Jordan.