DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Millikin University just announced its 17th President.

Dean Pribbenow will be stepping into the role on July 1, 2025 after receiving unanimous approval from the university’s Board of Trustees.

Pribbenow will be bringing more than 20 years of experience in academic leadership to the table. He currently serves as Elmhurst University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, as well as the university’s Dean of Faculty. He also occupied leadership positions at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisc.

“I am honored to join Millikin University and the Big Blue as its next president,” Pribbenow said in a Millikin University release. “During my time on campus, the love for Millikin, and the abiding commitment to students and the broader community, was evident among all those I met. This institution has a strong and distinctive reputation for academic excellence through performance learning. I look forward to working alongside everyone to build on these strengths and deepen our connections both on and off campus. Together, we will ensure that the University remains an integral part of the region’s future.”

The announcement follows former President Jim Reynolds’ decision to step down after nearly five years in the position.

Millikin Chairman of the Board of Trustees Ronald Branch has been serving as Acting President during Reynolds’ absence. Branch praised Pribbenow’s “valuable insight into institutional challenges and opportunities,” and thanked Reynolds for his service during his tenure.

“Over the past five years, President Reynolds was a dedicated leader for Millikin, guiding us through unprecedented challenges and positioning the institution for long-term success,” Branch added. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank him for his service and leadership during his tenure as Millikin’s 16th President.”

Pribbenow also laid out some of his biggest priorities for his time as President.

“As Millikin’s president, I will set the example and the expectations for strengthening a culture that centers around student learning and belonging. While some people emphasize that students need to be more ‘college-ready,’ I believe it is equally important for our institutions to be “student-ready,” Pribbenow added. “Focusing on inclusion and equity in policies, recruitment, services, and campus climate — being student-ready — leads to a sense of belonging essential to institutional health and long-term viability.”

For more information about Pribbenow and the changes to Millikin University’s leadership, view the university’s full media release here.