Entering her fourth academic year at the University of Redlands, President Krista Newkirk has transformed the Redlands experience.  Under her leadership, Redlands continues to grow its footprint throughout California, solidifying a successful merger with San Francisco-based Presidio Graduate School, which will become a signature part of the university’s School of Business & Society, and an acquisition of Los Angeles-based Woodbury University.

President Newkirk led the development of a new student-focused strategic plan and continues to build upon Redlands’ Hispanic-Serving Institution designation.  This dedication led to the university’s recognition by the U.S. Department of State as a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution Leader – one of only five master’s universities in California to receive such recognition.

President Newkirk serves on several national education boards, including the Executive Committee of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), the Board and Tax Policy Committee of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the Board of Redlands Bowl, and is a Redlands Rotarian.  She received her Juris Doctor degree from the College of William & Mary and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She frequently presents at conferences nationwide on the dynamic evolution of higher education.