Douglas Palmer Named President of Siena Heights University

Siena Heights University has announced that Douglas B. Palmer, Ph.D. will become the eleventh president of college this summer. 

Palmer is currently serving as President of Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO. While at Culver-Stockton, some of the key achievements under Palmer’s leadership included achieving a 10% new-student enrollment increase from 2020–2022; launching the Pell Grant Promise program which offers free tuition to local Pell Grant recipients; exceeding giving goals, including new records for Day of Giving and overall gifts in 2022; and establishing a new Agricultural Business Management major, complete with funding an endowed scholarship from a new donor.

Sister Peg Albert, O.P., Ph.D. said, “I am so happy that we have a person of such great quality and vision to serve Siena Heights University in the years to come. Dr. Palmer will step into the presidency with confidence and experience to lead Siena Heights into the future. He is committed to ensuring that Siena Heights provides a world-class education and experiences to the students, faculty, staff, and the community that we serve. He will do a wonderful job.”

Albert announced her plans to retire at the start of the 2022–2023 academic year. Her last day will be June 30, 2023. Albert will complete her 17th year with Siena Heights University at her time of retirement. The university worked with Hyatt-Fennell Executive Search to conduct a national search along with a search committee that included faculty, staff, students, members of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, and members of the Siena Heights Board of Trustees.

“I am honored to be entrusted by the Adrian Dominican Sisters and the Trustees of Siena Heights University to contribute to the mission of educating students to be competent, purposeful, and ethical. I’m especially inspired by Siena Heights’ commitment to access for all to higher education whether traditional students, working adults, or online students. My family and I are all excited to become part of the Adrian and Siena Heights communities,” said Dr. Palmer.