UW–Madison alumnus Dean Pribbenow has been named the next president of Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He will begin his new role as the institution’s 17th president on July 1.
Pribbenow currently serves as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Elmhurst University in Illinois, where he has held leadership roles since 2020. He previously served as vice president for academic affairs and academic dean at Edgewood College in Madison.
“I am honored to join Millikin University and the Big Blue as its next president,” Pribbenow said in an official announcement. “This institution has a strong and distinctive reputation for academic excellence through performance learning. I look forward to working alongside everyone to build on these strengths and deepen our connections both on and off campus.”
Pribbenow earned a PhD in educational leadership and policy analysis from the UW–Madison School of Education in 2002. He also holds a master of science in counseling with a higher education concentration from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, and a bachelor of arts in English from Luther College.
“I have had the pleasure to know Dean for several years, and I’m confident he possesses a deep understanding of academic affairs and its central role in institutional success,” said Millikin Provost Mary Black in the university’s announcement. “Dean is an inclusive leader who respects and seeks out a wide range of opinions when making decisions. He has also demonstrated openness in communication and has a steadfast commitment to ethical leadership.”
To learn more, read the full announcement from Millikin University.