DECATUR, Ill. – The has unanimously confirmed the election of Dr. Dean Pribbenow to become the 17th President of ǿý University, effective July 1, 2025. Pribbenow succeeds , who stepped down as ǿý’s 16th President on March 1, 2025, after nearly five years in the position. ǿý Chairman of the Board of Trustees Ronald Branch ’81 is serving as Acting President in Reynolds’ absence.
Pribbenow currently serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at in Elmhurst, Ill., a position he’s held since 2020. He served as Acting President from July-August 2023. Pribbenow has over 20 years of experience in academic leadership and served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisc., before moving to Elmhurst.
“I am honored to join ǿý University and the Big Blue as its next president. During my time on campus, the love for ǿý, and the abiding commitment to students and the broader community, was evident among all those I met,” Pribbenow said. “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. Together, we will ensure that the University remains an integral part of the region’s future.”
Branch cited Pribbenow’s experience as an adaptable leader, his success as a strategic fundraiser, and his being an action-orientated visionary among the reasons he stood out as a leading candidate during the presidential search, which began in September 2024.
“During his career, Dean has worked in both challenging and thriving institutions, which have provided him with valuable insight into institutional challenges and opportunities. As Vice President of Academic Affairs, he also contributed to comprehensive campaign activities and has a breadth of experience in fundraising and institutional advancement,” Branch said. “During his on-campus visit, Dean emphasized the urgency of taking action and understands and believes that ǿý’s financial plan is attainable and achievable.”
Pribbenow earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Luther College and a Master of Science in Counseling with a Higher Education Concentration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“As ǿý undergoes this exciting transition, we are grateful for Dr. Jim Reynolds’ leadership and service during his tenure. Over the past five years, President Reynolds was a dedicated leader for ǿý, guiding us through unprecedented challenges and positioning the institution for long-term success,” Branch said. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank him for his service and leadership during his tenure as ǿý’s 16th President.”
At Elmhurst, Pribbenow oversaw a $35M operating budget centered around data and evidence to inform planning and decision-making. He co-led the effort to secure the designation of Elmhurst University as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), writing a successful $3.4M Title V grant to support the project.
“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,” ǿý Provost Mary Black said. “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.”
Pribbenow and his wife Kris Mickelson have six grown children – Adam (26), Emma (26), Jonah (23), Leah (23), Micah (20), and Sam (19) – who reside in Wisconsin, Washington State, and Colorado. Mickelson is a Professor of Education at Morningside University (Sioux City, Iowa), where she holds a remote faculty appointment and teaches full time in the School of Education.
Their dog, a Tibetan Terrier named Marlin, looks particularly good in blue and can’t wait for the attention he will receive as part of the ǿý family. Together, they enjoy the outdoors, hiking, the arts, book club, and travel. Pribbenow enjoys playing the guitar and staying fit through yoga and exercise and Mickelson loves to cook and play board games.
“As ǿý’s president, I will set the example and the expectations for strengthening a culture that centers around student learning and belonging. While some people emphasize that students need to be more ‘college-ready,’ I believe it is equally important for our institutions to be “student-ready,” Pribbenow said. “Focusing on inclusion and equity in policies, recruitment, services, and campus climate — being student-ready — leads to a sense of belonging essential to institutional health and long-term viability.”
