JOHN M. HUTCHINSON, Ph.D. has over 35 years of experience in higher education as a teacher and administrator. In addition to his service as Commissioner of Higher Education for the Montana University System, Dr. Hutchinson has been president of three private colleges (Thomas University, Lincoln College, Beacon College) and one public university (Northern State University). John has also held the positions of Dean of Graduate Studies and Research as well as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Idaho State University. He rose through the ranks from Assistant Professor to Professor during his collective faculty experience at Michigan State University and Idaho State University, where he won the Professor of the Year award in 1983. John has completed a number of senior administrative search assignments through his service to two executive search firms. Dr. Hutchinson is prepared to assist successful presidential candidates with transitional support and counsel.
Dr. Hutchinson has specialized in assessment and revision of institutional mission, which he successfully accomplished at both Thomas University and Lincoln College – Normal. In particular, while at Lincoln College, John spearheaded the development of a nationally recognized adult degree completion program in several areas of professional study. He also has considerable experience in institutional board development and led Thomas University, Lincoln College, and Beacon College through transitional processes that resulted in dramatically improved board operations. Through Dr. Hutchinson’s leadership, all three of his private college presidencies enjoyed significant program and enrollment growth.
Dr. Hutchinson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (magna cum laude) in Speech from the University of Redlands, a Master of Science degree in speech pathology from Purdue University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in speech pathology and speech science, also from Purdue University. He was awarded the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Beacon College.
John, who is a Montana native, and his wife Jean Ann have five grown children and nine grandchildren. They live in Ozark, Missouri.
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