Wittenberg University welcomed Dr. Mark H. Erickson as its 13 th president on July 1, 2005. Formerly the vice president for administrative and government affairs at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., Erickson brings significant experience in strategic planning, enrollment management, global education, diversity, student development and community engagement.
Erickson served as a senior adviser to Lehigh’s president from 1999-2005, providing leadership and vision for the university’s government and community affairs operations. He also led the university’s strategic planning process and traveled extensively internationally in support of Lehigh’s mission. In addition, Erickson spearheaded diversity initiatives to foster an inclusive campus environment during his 22-year career at Lehigh, which included nearly a decade as its dean of students.
One of 34 nationally selected American Council on Education Fellows in 1997, Erickson spent his fellowship year working closely with then president William Adams of Bucknell University, studying the college presidency and issues such of planning, government affairs and faculty governance.
A member of numerous professional associations and a presenter at national and international conferences on such topics as international education, global citizenship, student attitudes, the impact of residential colleges and the role of universities as engines for economic development, Erickson has taught classes in education, policy and politics, and communications, among others. He will hold faculty rank in the department of education at Wittenberg.
Dr. Erickson has also served on numerous community and civic boards including the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation, the Manufacturer’s Resource Center and the Children’s Home of Easton.
Erickson earned his A.B. in American history from Princeton University, his Ed.M. from Harvard University and his Ed.D. in educational leadership from Lehigh University where he received the Matthew W. Gaffney Award for academic excellence. He also completed additional study in world religions and pastoral care at Harvard Divinity School.
Erickson’s wife, Lin, is the Director of Government, Corporate, and Foundations Relations at Wittenberg. Lin earned her B.A. from Smith College, M.S. from Lehigh University and Executive M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School . They have two children, Sarah and David.