Stuebner Named 26th President

The Board of Trustees has unanimously appointed Dr. Susan D. Stuebner to serve as Simpson’s 26^th president. She joined the College as interim president July 28, 2025. The appointment follows a formal performance review process conducted by Academic Search, a nationally respected firm dedicated to identifying and placing top executive leaders to serve higher education.

Stuebner Named 26^th President

Simpson Board Chair Terry Handley ’09 says Stuebner’s past success as a president and overwhelmingly positive feedback from the campus community made the board’s decision an easy one.

“Faculty, staff and student leaders were enthusiastic in their praise for President Stuebner and the many leadership strengths she brings to Simpson College,” said Handley. “Sue’s authenticity and transparency in engaging with the campus community have already gone a long way in building early trust and confidence. The board is eager to partner with her in designing and realizing a promising future for Simpson.”

Throughout her nearly 30-year career in higher education, Stuebner’s professional passion has centered on ensuring the accessibility and sustainability of private, regional, liberal arts colleges. Prior to Simpson, she served as president and professor of Business and Social Sciences at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H., for eight years. She concluded her time at Colby-Sawyer as an adviser to Interim President Dr. Laura Sykes during the 2024-25 academic year.

Stuebner also held roles as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. Additionally, she spent 10 years at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa., where she provided key leadership through a growing breadth of senior administrative roles — culminating with her appointment as vice president for Administration and Planning. Her early career days included roles as freshman proctor for Harvard University in Cambridge, Ma. and admissions counselor and head women’s basketball coach at Albright College in Reading, Pa.

“I am honored and humbled by the board’s confidence in me and this tremendous opportunity to serve officially as Simpson’s president,” said Stuebner. “From the moment I arrived on campus, I have resonated with the values and approach of this incredible learning community. Seeing our exceptional faculty and staff in action as they create a transformational educational experience for our students is truly inspiring. Simpson students and alumni exhibit so much passion about their time on campus and are making a difference in their professions and communities. I look forward to partnering with the Simpson community in pursuing new avenues of innovative excellence to further distinguish Simpson as a national leader in liberal arts education.”

A Minnesota native, Stuebner earned her Ed.M. and Ed.D. from Harvard University and her A.B. in psychology from Dartmouth College. She spent five years as a teaching fellow at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education for courses focused on financial management, qualitative research, and governance.