Board of Trustees Extends President Roth’s Contract through 2029

Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees has extended President Michael S. Roth’s contract through June 30, 2029. 

Roth has emerged as a leading voice and staunch advocate for the freedom to learn and pursue a pragmatic liberal education. His numerous opinion pieces, interviews, and frequent blog posts have kept Wesleyan at the center of conversations about higher education, elevating its role as a beacon of free inquiry and democratic values. Roth’s brave stance and intellectual clarity at this pivotal moment in history were recognized by PEN America, which recently honored him with the 2025 PEN/Benenson Courage Award.

Since 2007, Roth has led Wesleyan through moments of unprecedented challenges and change, including a financial crisis, global pandemic, and political upheaval. “Against the backdrop of challenging external forces, Michael has never lost sight of the need to uphold Wesleyan’s boldness, rigor, and practical idealism,” said Board Chair Phoebe Boyer ’89, P’19, ’23. 

Under his leadership, the University has offered a distinctive education characterized by academic exploration, interdisciplinary programs, and a commitment to teaching and research. “Michael deeply understands the culture of the institution and what fuels it,” Boyer said, “and that culture is held by everyone—students, faculty, and staff.”  

Most recently, the College of Design and Engineering Studies, established in 2023, launched a new Textiles Hub to teach modern computational manufacturing and design methods to students in any discipline. The Fries Arts Building—the first expansion of arts facilities on campus in decades—is designed to create physical spaces that foster collaboration and hands-on, interdisciplinary learning with performance, teaching, practice, and studio facilities under one roof. Construction continues at the new science building, which when completed in 2026 will house research and support labs, teaching labs, classrooms, a vivarium, a greenhouse, and conference spaces—all in support of a student experience that fosters lifelong learning and engagement.  

Roth has balanced his academic vision with prudent financial management. The University is actively engaged in the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in its history. A pragmatic approach to growing the endowment has put the university on an economically sustainable path that promotes the goals of expanded access and support for students. “The endowment has grown tremendously,” said Boyer. “That allows us to have more stability, more financial aid.” Through recruitment and outreach efforts, Wesleyan continues to attract learners from across the country and globe.  

On campus, Roth continues to champion all things Wesleyan, celebrating artistic, academic, athletic, and civic accomplishments of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. “It's extraordinary what people do and think here,” said Boyer. “Michael creates that environment and sets an expectation for that environment.” 

Looking ahead, Roth is focusing on enhancements to facilities and how to make the best use of artificial intelligence in higher education. “He will continue to lead and give voice to the values that are essential to Wesleyan,” said Boyer.  

“I am deeply grateful for the board’s continued support of my leadership of the university we all love,” said Roth. “There has never been a more crucial time to advance the cause of the pragmatic liberal education that Wesleyan provides. In partnership with my colleagues on the board, and our exceptional faculty, staff, students, and alumni, I look forward to continuing to fulfill our distinctive mission and promote the enduring values of higher education and freedom in the years ahead.” 

Roth, who has authored eight books, is a historian, curator, and public advocate for liberal education. Following Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters (2014) and Safe Enough Spaces: A Pragmatist’s Approach to Inclusion, Free Speech and Political Correctness on College Campuses (2019), his most recent book is The Student: A Short History (Yale University Press, 2023). Here Roth narrates a vivid and dynamic history of students, exploring some of the principal models for learning that have developed in very different contexts, from the sixth century BCE to the present. Roth’s call for a pragmatic liberal education is the cornerstone of both his scholarship and his administrative work at Wesleyan.