Adam S. Weinberg
20th President of Denison University
Dr. Adam Weinberg joined Denison University as its 20th president in 2013 and has focused on the significant issues facing higher education today, including curricular innovation, student flourishing, accessibility, and closing the education-to-career gap.
A major focus of Dr. Weinberg’s leadership has been on developing academic innovation. Denison has developed a new generation of liberal arts programs, including data analytics; global commerce; politics and public affairs; global health; journalism; applied math; and health, exercise, and sport studies. In early 2025, Denison will break ground on a renovation and expansion of Doane Hall to create the new Center for Data Reasoning & Visualization. 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. 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. The college has also partnered with the Columbus Public City Schools to offer scholarships for up to 80 students a year.
During Dr. 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 Red Frame Lab, which focuses on student-led startups and consulting projects on campus and for businesses and organizations.
Applications have surged during his time at Denison. Last year, Denison received over 15,000 applications for an incoming class of 620 students with an acceptance rate of 17%. The college’s momentum has also been recognized by several ranking organizations, and Denison’s U.S. News ranking has jumped 19 spots since 2016.
Dr. 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.
Dr. 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 Advisory Group.