Albion College Board of Trustees extend President Webster’s contract as momentum builds

The move ensures Webster, currently in his third year as president, will continue to lead the College through June 30, 2031.

The Albion College Board of Trustees has moved to extend President Wayne P. Webster’s contract for an additional five years, with an option for a three-year renewal. The move ensures Webster, currently in his third year as president, will continue to lead the College through June 30, 2031. Board Chair Joey Miller ‘75 said the decision reflects Webster’s strong leadership and the substantial progress achieved during his tenure.

“It’s inspiring to see Wayne’s continued excitement for what Albion can become. In just two and a half years, his leadership has helped propel remarkable collective progress across the College, and that momentum continues to build,” said Miller. “His love for this institution is unmistakable, and we are fortunate that his vision, talents, and energy will carry forward into our next chapter.”

“I am honored by the Board’s confidence in asking me to continue to serve and lead this tremendous College. Albion has made meaningful strides together — advancing new initiatives, building partnerships, and operating with a shared sense of urgency about our future,” said Webster. “I’m grateful to our faculty and staff whose dedication drives our success, and to our alumni and supporters whose partnership makes it possible. Most of all, I’m inspired by our students — seeing their growth and accomplishments every day is the best part of my role. Io Triumphe!”

Progress and Achievements Under Webster’s Leadership (Past 2.5 Years)

Since taking office in July 2023, Webster has worked with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and campus partners to introduce a new era of transparency, stabilize operations, strengthen the academic and student experience, and advance Albion’s strategic direction. Key accomplishments include:

Strategic Planning & Alignment

• Designed and launched the Pathway Forward strategic and financial plan.
• Launched new data governance processes and training to encourage data-informed decision-making across the College.
• Introduced college-wide Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track mission, finance, and student success.

Financial Strengthening

• Increased net tuition revenue for incoming students by $2,500 over two cycles and reduced the discount rate by over 4%.
• Implemented retention strategies resulting in 92.5 percent first-year persistence from fall to spring, up from 88 percent the prior year.
• Reduced Albion’s annual operating deficit by more than half — from a projected $16M in FY24 — and is on pace to lower it under $4M next year.
• Executed or initiated $11M in realized and planned expense reductions to align the budget with enrollment and emerging realities for higher education.

Philanthropic Momentum

• Increased philanthropic support by 50 percent from year one to year two.
• On pace to reach a stretch goal of $15M in new gifts, pledges, and deferred commitments this fiscal year in preparation for a comprehensive campaign.

Campus & Academic Innovation

• Renovated 13 student-centered spaces, with additional improvements underway for Upper Baldwin (supported by Metz), the Dow Fieldhouse refresh, and Kresge Commons in Wesley Hall (supported by the Class of 1975).
• Supported faculty in conducting a comprehensive academic program review to drive curricular innovation and operational sustainability.
• Secured faculty endorsement of Experiential Learning for All (EL4A), making experiential learning a graduation requirement and strengthening Albion’s distinctive liberal arts value.

Community Partnerships

• Coordinated redirecting a $2.8 million Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant from Washington Gardner School to targeting site improvements throughout the city of Albion, including renovations at Opportunity High School and much-needed upgrades to community facilities, parks, and recreation areas.
• Established an agreement with Michigan-based nonprofit, Community Housing Network in partnership with Zero Day, for them to acquire, develop, and manage an affordable housing option on the site of the former Washington Gardner School with programming offered by Zero Day and others.

Looking Ahead: The Next Phase of Albion’s Strategy

With the contract extension, Webster and the Board outlined priority areas for the coming years, including:

• Strengthening Albion’s liberal arts model through experiential learning, curricular innovation, and workforce-aligned programs.
• Continuing efforts to grow net tuition revenue, expand philanthropic support, and reach a structurally balanced operating budget.
• Enhancing campus life, student support systems, and career pathways to improve student satisfaction, retention, completion, and post-graduation outcomes.
• Partnering with faculty and administrators to develop new academic and administrative structures that strengthen cross-campus collaboration and position Albion for a sustainable future.
• Utilizing data to connect more effectively with prospective students and families.
• Mobilizing alumni, donors, and partners to invest in Albion’s next chapter.
• Maintaining a statewide and national presence in higher education through service on the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities executive committee, as a board member of the Great Lakes Colleges Association, and as the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association representative on the NCAA Division III President’s Advisory Group.