PhD, 2008 Matthew Thompson became the nineteenth president of Kansas Wesleyan University in early 2013. His goal is to nurture a student-centered culture, which supports the holistic development of all members of the campus community. Through the strength of the faculty and staff, students are challenged to become the men and women they want to be. “As president of Kansas Wesleyan University, my primary task has been to set the vision for the future of the university and develop constituent support,” states Thompson. “Leading Kansas Wesleyan is invigorating, challenging, and an important calling. I draw upon the lessons learned during my time at the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia. My faculty, classmates, and the IHE curriculum inform how I lead each day.” Prior to his move to Salina, Dr. Thompson served in various leadership roles in higher education at Florida Southern College and his alma mater, Mercer University. He holds a bachelor's degree in communication and theatre arts and a master's in business administration from Mercer; he holds a doctorate in higher education from the University of Georgia.