Jewell names interim president, proven change management leader

08/28/2025

The William Jewell College Board of Trustees has named Dr. Drew Van Horn as interim president. Van Horn’s extensive higher education experience includes 10 years as president of Brevard College (North Carolina) and seven years at Young Harris College (Georgia). He has specialized in supporting private liberal arts institutions embarking on strategic change. In December 2024, William Jewell College launched Reimagine Jewell, a set of initiatives intended to transform its operations.

Van Horn’s vision emphasizes personalized education rooted in the liberal arts and humanities, aimed at preparing students for successful careers and civic engagement in a constantly changing world. He is known for improving student experiences, strengthening academic programs and increasing commitment to affordability and tuition transparency. Under his leadership, both Brevard and Young Harris experienced a rise in student enrollment, developed new academic and pre-professional pathways, and expanded opportunities for experiential learning, including internships and undergraduate research. Van Horn also held roles as vice president of institutional advancement at two universities and director of the Independent College Fund of North Carolina.

“Van Horn has a data driven results-oriented focus that is unique in higher education,” said Bill Gautreaux, chair of the Jewell Board of Trustees and a Jewell alumnus. “He has a breadth of experience in areas of heightened focus for Jewell including student outcomes, programmatic performance, athletics and the expansion of advancement operations. As we have established momentum on our Reimagine Jewell initiative raising the first $10 million of our $25 million goal while balancing our budget, his tenure will help shape our culture and build on Jewell’s long history of academic excellence and student success.”

Van Horn holds a B.A. from Elon University (North Carolina) where he was named a two-time CoSIDA and GTE Academic All-American in basketball, an M.Ed. from Campbell University (North Carolina) and a Ph.D. in education from the University of South Carolina. He is a Thrivent Leadership Fellow, a member of Alpha Chi Academic Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society and the Elon University Athletic Hall of Fame. The North Carolina native also has extensive civic leadership in education and nonprofit organizations.

“I am excited to be part of this new chapter in the life of William Jewell College,” said Van Horn. “Given the current pressure on private higher education institutions, the Jewell Board, faculty, staff and supporters have taken the necessary steps to secure the College’s legacy. I am honored to have been chosen to serve this distinguished institution.”

Alumna Susan Chambers, principal of Chambers Consulting and retired executive vice president and chief people officer for Walmart Inc., led Jewell for the past year and rejoined the Board of Trustees to provide continuity and advocacy for Jewell’s strategic initiatives. Dr. Kelli Schutte served as acting president this summer and is returning to her role as division head of Business, Communication and Education and as the dean of Innovation and New Programs.