Dr. Adam Weinberg joined Denison University as its 20th president in 2013. President Weinberg has focused on the significant issues facing higher education today, including curricular innovation, student flourishing, accessibility, internationalization, civic education, learning outcomes, and closing the education-to-career gap.

A man with short gray hair and glasses, wearing a white shirt and dark blazer, stands smiling against a light-colored brick wall in a hallway.

Under President Weinberg’s leadership, Denison has developed a new generation of liberal arts programs, including finance, data analytics, global commerce, politics and public affairs, global health, journalism, applied math, and health, exercise, & sport studies. In 2026, Denison opened the new King Center for Data & Innovation. The college has also invested deeply in the arts, with the opening of the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts in 2019.

Another area of focus has been accessibility and affordability. Denison has become one of the few colleges in the country to meet every student’s full demonstrated financial aid need. Under Dr. Weinberg’s leadership, Denison has doubled the need-based aid it provides students each year. In 2026, the Denison Commitment was launched, an initiative that caps family contributions toward tuition based on total income, providing transparent pricing early in the college search process. The college has also partnered with the Columbus Public Schools to offer scholarships for up to 80 students a year.

During President Weinberg’s tenure, Denison has emerged as a national leader in career preparation. The college created the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Career Exploration, which is forging new ground in helping students explore career options, close skills gaps, and launch into careers. Denison has also developed the Center for Consulting & Entrepreneurship, which focuses on student-led startups and consulting projects on campus and for businesses and organizations.

The college’s momentum has also been recognized by several ranking organizations, and Denison’s U.S. News ranking has jumped 21 spots since 2016. It was also named #4 for the most innovative liberal arts college in the country. In addition, recent national rankings from Princeton Review included Top 10 positions in 13 categories, including career services, most accessible faculty, happiest students, best quality of life, the classroom experience, students who love their college, and town & gown relations.

President Weinberg started his career at Colgate University from 1995 through 2005, where he was a faculty member in the sociology and anthropology department. He also served as vice president and dean of the college, overseeing the student affairs division. Prior to Denison, Dr. Weinberg served as president and CEO of World Learning, a global organization focused on delivering international development, education, and exchange programs in over 150 countries.

President Weinberg was born in St. Louis before moving with his family to Texas. His passion for ice hockey took him to New England, where he attended Deerfield Academy and Bowdoin College. He studied at Cambridge University before earning his master’s and doctoral degrees in sociology at Northwestern University.

President Weinberg publishes widely, including articles in Newsweek, The Chicago Tribune, Chief Executive, Higher Ed Dive, The Heckinger Report, and the L.A. Times. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Columbus Partnership. He also serves on a wide range of boards, including the Great Lakes College Association, Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, and NCAA Div III Presidents Council.