President's Office - McPherson College
Source: https://www.mcpherson.edu/about/president
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:20
President's Office - McPherson College
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Strategic Plan
Community by Design 2.0
The McPherson College culture is integrated into four strategic initiatives in the 2024-2034 Strategic Plan:
Academic Program Growth Mindset
,
East McPherson
,
Wellness and Inclusion
, and
$1B Endowment
.
Read more about these initiatives on the
Strategic Plan
page.
Entrepreneurship
“How do we give liberal arts value? We’re going to lift it up through the entrepreneurial mindset, because we want our graduates to be enterprising and perceptive.”
– President Michael Schneider
McPherson College believes the classic concept of liberal arts is intimately tied to the modern idea of entrepreneurship and strives to weave the concepts of entrepreneurship across the curriculum and student life, regardless of a student’s chosen major.
This idea transcends any one department, giving students the room to experiment and explore – while still landing on their feet. McPherson College students discover that the only failure is the failure to learn.
About President Schneider
Michael Schneider started his first enterprise at age 7 – a museum in his bedroom. The museum ultimately closed its doors to the public. But years later, one of the collections on display – namely, (36) 1984 Topps Mark McGwire Olympic rookie cards – helped fund Michael’s education at McPherson College, where he graduated with honors in 1996.
Michael got his early career break when the partners at Summit Publishing invited him to run the company. Only halfway through his 20s, he found himself leading a company into the electronic commerce era. His list of life adventures has included earning an MBA from the University of Denver, a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, and supporting start-ups in everything from information technology to green energy.
In 2002, Michael answered the call to return to his alma mater. Advancing quickly through several key administrative positions, he helped spearhead growth to all-time highs in both charitable giving and enrollment. When Michael was named president in 2009, he was one of the youngest college presidents in the United States.
Michael’s passionate vision to lift up liberal arts through an entrepreneurial mindset has sparked the imagination of the entire campus. McPherson’s commitment to
debt-free education
and
post-graduation placement rates
is an important part of the student experience. During his tenure, job and graduate school placement rates have led the nation, while average debt per student at graduation is the lowest of any four-year college in Kansas. With niche degree programs such as automotive restoration and rural healthcare management, McPherson is reinventing itself as a significant contributor in higher education. McPherson College garnered recent notoriety for having a student-restored 1953 Mercedes Benz 300S win 2
nd
in the Post War Luxury Class at the
Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance
, the most prestigious car show in the world, and for securing a
$1 billion endowment commitment
, which is one of the largest philanthropic commitments in the history of higher education. One of Michael’s favorite accomplishments is McPherson College being named in the
Chronicle of Higher Education
as a “Great College to Work For,” nine consecutive years with honor roll recognition in more categories than any other college in the country.
Since becoming president, Michael has served the higher education community as board chair of the Associated Colleges of Central Kansas, Kansas Campus Compact, and Kansas Independent College Association; as executive committee member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; and as national advisory board member for Future Business Leaders of America and Distributive Education Clubs of America.
Michael and his wife Kandee have two daughters, Hayden and Perrin, and a blue 1966 Pontiac named Ruth.
In the News
Click here for press mentions.
MC Press Releases
McPherson College and Barton School of Business at Wichita State Launch Accelerated MBA Pathway Partnership
Posted: March 31, 2026
Wichita State University’s W. Frank Barton School of Business and McPherson College have announced a new academic partnership that will allow eligible McPherson College undergraduates to earn up to nine […]
New Partnership With KU Allows McPherson College Students To Work Toward Nursing Degree
Posted: September 11, 2025
A new partnership with the University of Kansas School of Nursing will make it possible for McPherson College students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, with courses […]
McPherson College Announces Name Of New Campus Commons Building During Grand Opening Celebration
Posted: September 29, 2025
Robert W. ‘Bob’ Wise Honored For Over 60 Years Of Loyalty To McPherson College At a grand opening celebration during Homecoming, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran joined McPherson College in […]
McPherson College Recognized On National Survey
Posted: September 25, 2025
McPherson College is a great place to work, according to a new survey by the Great Colleges to Work For® program. The results, featured in a special edition of The […]
McPherson College Ranks In U.S. News & World Report “Best College” List
Posted: September 23, 2025
For the 10th consecutive year, McPherson College has earned recognition by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges list for Regional Colleges in the Midwest. This year, […]
Meet McPherson College’s Class Of 2029
Posted: September 2, 2025
For the Class of 2029 at McPherson College, finding the “right fit” wasn’t just about picking a school — it was about finding a place that reflects their values. With […]
Dondlinger Construction Of Wichita Makes Gift To McPherson College
Posted: July 31, 2025
During a ribbon-cutting and car-unveiling ceremony on July 24, Dondlinger Construction of Wichita presented McPherson College with a $125,000 gift to support student activities and programs. The company served as […]
Opening Convo Welcomes Students, Thanks Donors
Posted: August 29, 2025
The McPherson College campus community gathered today in the Campus Commons for the traditional Opening Convocation, where President Michael Schneider welcomed students and thanked those who made the new space […]
McPherson College Offers New Degree In Exercise Science
Posted: August 21, 2025
The Higher Learning Commission recently approved McPherson College to offer a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science starting in August 2026. The degree further diversifies the college’s academic offerings […]
Higher Learning Commission Reaffirms McPherson College Accreditation
Posted: August 6, 2025
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaffirmed McPherson College’s accreditation following the June meeting of its Institutional Actions Council. As part of the reaffirmation, the HLC invited the college to pursue […]
Get started.
Are you ready to see what you will do and who you will become at McPherson College? We’ll guide you through the admissions process and connect you with financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make it happen.
Admissions
See for yourself.
During your visit, you’ll meet faculty and students in your major and explore all that McPherson College and the community have to offer.
Visit McPherson
Skip to content
Quicklinks
Incoming Student Info
Financial Aid
Admissions Deposit
Catalog & Schedule
Auto Restoration
Alumni Office
Employment
Ventures in Christian Discipleship
President’s Office
Giving to MC
News
Events
Directory
Employment
Contact
Strategic Plan
Community by Design 2.0
The McPherson College culture is integrated into four strategic initiatives in the 2024-2034 Strategic Plan:
Academic Program Growth Mindset
,
East McPherson
,
Wellness and Inclusion
, and
$1B Endowment
.
Read more about these initiatives on the
Strategic Plan
page.
Entrepreneurship
“How do we give liberal arts value? We’re going to lift it up through the entrepreneurial mindset, because we want our graduates to be enterprising and perceptive.”
– President Michael Schneider
McPherson College believes the classic concept of liberal arts is intimately tied to the modern idea of entrepreneurship and strives to weave the concepts of entrepreneurship across the curriculum and student life, regardless of a student’s chosen major.
This idea transcends any one department, giving students the room to experiment and explore – while still landing on their feet. McPherson College students discover that the only failure is the failure to learn.
About President Schneider
Michael Schneider started his first enterprise at age 7 – a museum in his bedroom. The museum ultimately closed its doors to the public. But years later, one of the collections on display – namely, (36) 1984 Topps Mark McGwire Olympic rookie cards – helped fund Michael’s education at McPherson College, where he graduated with honors in 1996.
Michael got his early career break when the partners at Summit Publishing invited him to run the company. Only halfway through his 20s, he found himself leading a company into the electronic commerce era. His list of life adventures has included earning an MBA from the University of Denver, a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, and supporting start-ups in everything from information technology to green energy.
In 2002, Michael answered the call to return to his alma mater. Advancing quickly through several key administrative positions, he helped spearhead growth to all-time highs in both charitable giving and enrollment. When Michael was named president in 2009, he was one of the youngest college presidents in the United States.
Michael’s passionate vision to lift up liberal arts through an entrepreneurial mindset has sparked the imagination of the entire campus. McPherson’s commitment to
debt-free education
and
post-graduation placement rates
is an important part of the student experience. During his tenure, job and graduate school placement rates have led the nation, while average debt per student at graduation is the lowest of any four-year college in Kansas. With niche degree programs such as automotive restoration and rural healthcare management, McPherson is reinventing itself as a significant contributor in higher education. McPherson College garnered recent notoriety for having a student-restored 1953 Mercedes Benz 300S win 2
nd
in the Post War Luxury Class at the
Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance
, the most prestigious car show in the world, and for securing a
$1 billion endowment commitment
, which is one of the largest philanthropic commitments in the history of higher education. One of Michael’s favorite accomplishments is McPherson College being named in the
Chronicle of Higher Education
as a “Great College to Work For,” nine consecutive years with honor roll recognition in more categories than any other college in the country.
Since becoming president, Michael has served the higher education community as board chair of the Associated Colleges of Central Kansas, Kansas Campus Compact, and Kansas Independent College Association; as executive committee member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; and as national advisory board member for Future Business Leaders of America and Distributive Education Clubs of America.
Michael and his wife Kandee have two daughters, Hayden and Perrin, and a blue 1966 Pontiac named Ruth.
In the News
Click here for press mentions.
MC Press Releases
McPherson College and Barton School of Business at Wichita State Launch Accelerated MBA Pathway Partnership
Posted: March 31, 2026
Wichita State University’s W. Frank Barton School of Business and McPherson College have announced a new academic partnership that will allow eligible McPherson College undergraduates to earn up to nine […]
New Partnership With KU Allows McPherson College Students To Work Toward Nursing Degree
Posted: September 11, 2025
A new partnership with the University of Kansas School of Nursing will make it possible for McPherson College students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, with courses […]
McPherson College Announces Name Of New Campus Commons Building During Grand Opening Celebration
Posted: September 29, 2025
Robert W. ‘Bob’ Wise Honored For Over 60 Years Of Loyalty To McPherson College At a grand opening celebration during Homecoming, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran joined McPherson College in […]
McPherson College Recognized On National Survey
Posted: September 25, 2025
McPherson College is a great place to work, according to a new survey by the Great Colleges to Work For® program. The results, featured in a special edition of The […]
McPherson College Ranks In U.S. News & World Report “Best College” List
Posted: September 23, 2025
For the 10th consecutive year, McPherson College has earned recognition by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges list for Regional Colleges in the Midwest. This year, […]
Meet McPherson College’s Class Of 2029
Posted: September 2, 2025
For the Class of 2029 at McPherson College, finding the “right fit” wasn’t just about picking a school — it was about finding a place that reflects their values. With […]
Dondlinger Construction Of Wichita Makes Gift To McPherson College
Posted: July 31, 2025
During a ribbon-cutting and car-unveiling ceremony on July 24, Dondlinger Construction of Wichita presented McPherson College with a $125,000 gift to support student activities and programs. The company served as […]
Opening Convo Welcomes Students, Thanks Donors
Posted: August 29, 2025
The McPherson College campus community gathered today in the Campus Commons for the traditional Opening Convocation, where President Michael Schneider welcomed students and thanked those who made the new space […]
McPherson College Offers New Degree In Exercise Science
Posted: August 21, 2025
The Higher Learning Commission recently approved McPherson College to offer a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science starting in August 2026. The degree further diversifies the college’s academic offerings […]
Higher Learning Commission Reaffirms McPherson College Accreditation
Posted: August 6, 2025
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaffirmed McPherson College’s accreditation following the June meeting of its Institutional Actions Council. As part of the reaffirmation, the HLC invited the college to pursue […]
Get started.
Are you ready to see what you will do and who you will become at McPherson College? We’ll guide you through the admissions process and connect you with financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make it happen.
Admissions
See for yourself.
During your visit, you’ll meet faculty and students in your major and explore all that McPherson College and the community have to offer.
Visit McPherson