Amy Novak
President, Dakota Wesleyan University
First recorded April 9, 2020
Amy Novak is the 20th—and first female—president of Dakota Wesleyan University. Beginning her tenure in 2013, under her leadership DWU has experienced a radical transformation in a short period, showing growth across all critical indicators, including record enrollment, retention, and fundraising.
Amy is bringing a fresh way of thinking about educating students to her leadership role at a small university. Recently, the university’s commitment to innovation was featured in a new book, “Pivot: A Vision for the New University.”
Amy is a frequent writer and speaker, regionally and nationally, on innovation in higher education as well as women in leadership. She earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Notre Dame, an master of science from Wright State University and an EdD from Creighton University. She and her husband, Ken, are parents to eight children.