President Matt vandenBerg

Ohio Wesleyan University's 17th president, Matt vandenBerg, Ed.D., took office July 1, 2023, with a determination to "build mightily on OWU's rich history and pursue unprecedented heights with confidence, boldness, innovation, joy, vigor, and good humor."

Since taking office in 2023, Ohio Wesleyan University's 17th President Matt vandenBerg has led the OWU community in launching a higher education rebellion.

"Together, we rebel against small thinking, against fear and divisiveness, and against higher education's traditional reluctance to change," President vandenBerg says.  "And we rebel for students – for boldness, for kindness, and for innovation."

OWU's bold initiatives include:

●       Delaware County Promise: Partnered with community leaders, philanthropists, and organizations to launch a tuition-free pathway for all Delaware County high school graduates who earn a 3.5 GPA and have a family income of $100,000 or less per year.

●       Tuition Match and Teach Now: Built a groundbreaking new collaboration with Columbus State Community College to help more students earn their four-year degrees and to propel more qualified teachers into Ohio's classrooms.

●       Pioneering Focus on Civil Discourse: Became the first university in the nation to provide free, formal constructive dialogue training to all students, faculty, and staff – with students earning a specialized constructive dialogue certificate upon completion.

●       Sister School Agreement with Claflin University: Created one of the first and most comprehensive sister school partnerships in American higher education between South Carolina-based Claflin, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and Ohio Wesleyan, a predominantly White Institution (PWI).

●       U.S. Entrepreneurship Competition: Launched the second-largest business plan competition in the nation (largest in Ohio) through OWU's Delaware Entrepreneurial Center. Winning entrepreneurs of all ages receive a total of $500,000 in investments and the opportunity to incubate in OWU's on-campus innovation lab.

●       Collaboration with Methodist Theological University in South Korea: Expanded Ohio Wesleyan's international reach into Korea, creating student and faculty exchange and research opportunities.

●       First-in-Kind Solar Energy Initiative: Launched a new public-private partnership to create the most ambitious carbon reduction and on-site solar energy project in Ohio higher education history. When completed, the project will reduce OWU's carbon footprint by 82%.

●       Distinctive Fine Arts-Infused Main Library: With historic donor support, Ohio Wesleyan is building The John F. Milligan Library, the first fine arts-infused library in American higher education.

Igniting a Renaissance

These and other initiatives have garnered state, national, and international acclaim. President vandenBerg is a frequent speaker and presenter on higher education innovation, student success, philanthropy, and partnership development, sharing his expertise in television, radio, podcast, newspaper, and other media interviews. In 2024, President vandenBerg participated in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2024 forum, described as the year's most significant international convening of inclusive education and inclusive workplaces.

Ohio Wesleyan's rebellion is igniting a renaissance, with the university celebrating its largest incoming class in 17 years and its largest two-year enrollment increase in the 21st century. The Class of 2029 also includes more than 50 transfer students – OWU's largest transfer class in its 183-year history. As a result of its efforts to create a seamless transfer process, Ohio Wesleyan has earned recognition as "one of the most transfer-friendly colleges in the nation." Ohio Wesleyan also has shattered previous records for philanthropic support, with OWU donors providing nearly $70 million in the 2024-2025 school year alone.

Innovative Leadership

Before joining Ohio Wesleyan, President vandenBerg built a track record of innovative leadership across several institutions, serving as president of Presbyterian College in South Carolina, vice president for advancement and external relations at Alma College in Michigan, associate vice president for development at Albion College in Michigan, and assistant dean for development and alumni relations at the Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing (Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses).

Currently, President vandenBerg serves as the chair of the Five Colleges of Ohio, a board member with the Council of Independent Colleges, a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities' Committee on Student Aid, and an officer of the board of directors for the Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges.

He holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Public Affairs with concentrations in nonprofit management and public policy analysis from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and a Bachelor of Arts with a political science major and Spanish minor from Alma College in Michigan, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He also holds a Certificate in the Principles and Techniques of Fundraising from Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).

vandenBerg and his wife, Melissa, have a son, Jackson, and a daughter, Sylvia.

Professional & Community Leadership

Boards

  • Annapolis Board of Directors
  • Delaware County Foundation
  • I Know I Can (Ex Officio Board Member)
  • NAICU Committee on Student Aid
  • NCAC Presidents' Council
  • Ohio 5 (Chair of the Board)
  • Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) Board of Trustees Strategy Committee
  • Strand Theatre and Cultural Arts Association

Memberships

  • Coalition for Transformational Education Leaders
  • Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership Charter
  • Presidents for Civic Preparedness
  • Young Presidents' Organization

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