Wayne P. Webster

Dr. Wayne P. Webster, the 18th President of Albion College, is a seasoned leader with 25 years of experience at nationally ranked colleges and universities. He has dedicated his career to leading strategic planning, philanthropic growth, and cultivating vibrant, collaborative campus environments.

Appointed in July 2023, President Webster has taken bold steps to propel Albion forward, launching initiatives aligned with the College’s Pathway Forward plan, a comprehensive strategy developed in partnership with faculty, staff, and students. Under his leadership, Albion is advancing in key areas:

Experiential Learning: Championing hands-on learning as an essential component of the Albion experience, with a vision of making it a graduation requirement for all students, equipping them with practical skills that set them apart in the job market.

Curricular Innovation: Partnering with faculty to modernize Albion’s academic programs, preparing students for evolving career demands and enhancing their readiness for success in a rapidly changing world.

Student Success: Prioritizing the removal of operational and other barriers to student success, with a focus on enhancing student retention and graduation rates through targeted support, programming, and streamlined processes.

Campus Enrichment: Investing in student-centered spaces that foster community and engagement, increasing opportunities for connection and collaboration, and improving overall student satisfaction.

Financial Stewardship: Implementing refined budgeting processes to support long-term financial health, stabilizing enrollment, and reducing endowment dependency for a sustainable future.

Data-Informed Decisions: Promoting data-informed strategies through improved access, training, dynamic dashboards, and data integrity.

Beyond Albion’s campus, President Webster has fostered connections with alumni and partners across Michigan and nationwide. His outreach has strengthened the alumni network, creating a renewed sense of purpose and alignment around Albion’s goals for growth and innovation.

Previously, President Webster served as Interim President at The College of Wooster, where he led a successful accreditation renewal, guided a major student center expansion, introduced sustainability initiatives, worked with faculty on a process for academic program review, and realigned the budget for fiscal strength. As Vice President for Advancement, he directed a transformative campaign that funded a state-of-the-art life sciences facility and expanded Wooster’s endowment from $280 million to over $420 million.

President Webster’s extensive leadership background also includes roles at the University of Northern Colorado and Ripon College, where his strategic vision elevated institutional resources, alumni engagement, and support.