Mike Frandsen

Location: Springfield, Ohio

Professional Background: President, Wittenberg University

Mike was unanimously elected the 15th president of Wittenberg University. His tenure officially began July 1, 2017 and was scheduled to conclude on June 30, 2025.

Mike came to Wittenberg from Oberlin College where he served as vice president for finance and administration. In addition to overseeing finance and accounting, facilities, human resources, information technology, and investments at Oberlin, Mike 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 received LEED Platinum certification.

Prior to joining Oberlin in 2014, Mike spent 10 years at Albion College, 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, he was interim president.

Before his years in higher education, Mike worked in corporate finance for global companies in the telecommunication, chemical, and electronics industries. Although his posts were always domestic, he worked for companies based in Canada, Germany and France, as well as the United States, in his more than 10 years in the corporate world.

Frandsen earned his Ph.D. in management from the University of Texas at Austin. He also holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree in finance from The Pennsylvania State University.