Mike Frandsen was unanimously elected the 15th president of Wittenberg University on Feb. 10, 2017. His tenure officially began July 1, 2017.
Respected for his authenticity, integrity, vision, exemplary leadership skills, and unique ability for finding intersections that create opportunity, Frandsen has led Wittenberg with a thorough understanding of the rhythms and culture of the academy, the importance of shared governance, the power of an integrated, residential experience, the art and science of enrollment, marketing and fundraising, and the role of community-building in long-term institutional success.
During his tenure, Frandsen has worked tirelessly to ensure that students learn, grow, and thrive. From investments in new academic programs such as nursing, exercise science, and engineering, to the expansion of career services, hiring of success advisors, and increase in experiential learning opportunities, to the opening of a fully reimagined Health, Wellness, and Athletics Complex, Frandsen is committed to providing a student-first education.
Under Frandsen’s leadership, Wittenberg also successfully completed its historic $100-million “Having Light” Campaign, which generated record levels of giving and alumni participation. Additionally, he has led campus-wide strategic planning and initiated several student success/retention efforts, all designed to advance Wittenberg’s mission and the University’s personalized educational experience for current and future generations.
Currently the president of the North Coast Athletic Conference, Frandsen previously served on the NCAA Division III membership committee. He has since been appointed to an NCAA-sponsored working group examining emerging organizational structures resulting from new partnerships between institutions in addition to his service on local community boards.
Frandsen came to Wittenberg from Oberlin College where he served as vice president for finance and administration. Concurrent with overseeing finance and accounting, facilities, human resources, information technology, and investments at Oberlin, Frandsen served on the strategic planning steering committee and the enrollment management team. During his tenure, Oberlin undertook several major construction projects, including the Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center, a mixed-use facility that will receive LEED Platinum certification.
Prior to joining Oberlin in 2014, Frandsen spent 10 years at Albion College in Michigan, where he held four different roles. Initially a faculty member in economics and management, he went on to serve as director of the Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management, an honors business program. In 2009, he joined the senior leadership team as vice president for finance and administration. For his final year at Albion, 2013-14, Frandsen was interim president.
Before joining Albion, Frandsen spent five years at Juniata College in Pennsylvania, where he served as a faculty member in the accounting, business and economics department, as well as in the information technology department. Frandsen also taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Colorado College, St. Edward's (Texas) University, and his alma mater, The Pennsylvania State University.
After graduating from Penn State, Frandsen coached swimmers, from novice to Olympic Trials qualifiers, at clubs in Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Colorado before pursuing a career in corporate finance, working for global companies in the telecommunication, chemical and electronics industries for more than a decade. He continued to coach part-time occasionally prior to his work in higher education.
Frandsen earned his Ph.D. in management, with an emphasis on strategic management, from the University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation examined how stock prices respond to announcements about new chief executives. He also holds an M.B.A. and B.S. in finance, both from The Pennsylvania State University.
Frandsen and wife, Sharon, have visited all 50th states, saving Hawaii for last. They are the proud parents of two grown daughters, Janie and Kate. Frandsen is also an avid sports fan, especially of college sports, and enjoys playing golf and biking in his spare time.