Message from Dr. Nicholas J. Willis, President
"The value of higher education is being debated in our culture today. Many are asking whether college is still worth the investment, while others are asking an even deeper question: Is there still value in a Christian university?
I believe the answer is a resounding YES!.
At Roberts Wesleyan University, our purpose has never been simply to prepare students for a career. We are committed to preparing them for a life of purpose, service, and faithful leadership. We want our graduates to leave here equipped not only to make a living, but to make a difference.
That begins with Jesus Christ.
The greatest hope we have for every student who comes to Roberts, in person and online, is that they encounter the transforming love of Christ. Academic excellence matters. Career preparation matters. But above all, we desire that our students know Jesus, grow in their faith, and become more like Him. Everything we do is rooted in that calling.
The Roberts experience is also defined by relationships.
Our faculty and staff are more than exceptional educators. They are mentors, encouragers and disciples. They know our students by name. They celebrate their successes, walk beside them through challenges, and invest in their lives both inside and outside the classroom. Education is deeply personal because transformation happens through relationships.
For more than 160 years, Roberts Wesleyan has been forming graduates who serve their communities, their churches, their professions, and the world with wisdom, compassion and conviction. That mission is just as important today as it was when our university was founded.
If you are wondering whether Christian higher education still matters, I invite you to experience Roberts for yourself. Meet our students. Talk with our faculty. Worship with our community. See firsthand what happens when excellent academics, authentic relationships, and a vibrant faith come together.
I believe you'll discover what generations of Roberts students have found: a place where lives are transformed, purpose is discovered, and students learn not only how to succeed - but how to live.
Grace and peace,
Nick Willis
President"
Presidential Biography
Dr. Nicholas J. Willis was elected president of Roberts Wesleyan University July 1, 2026. He brings more than two decades of experience in Christian higher education, combining academic leadership with strategic consulting to help faith-based institutions thrive.
Dr. Willis earned his BS Mathematics at George Fox University (2000), and attended Texas Tech University, where he earned his MS Mathematics (2003) and PhD Mathematics (2006). Throughout his career, he has been recognized for building collaborative teams, strengthening organizational culture, and advancing student-centered, mission-driven education.
Before joining Roberts, Dr. Willis served as a partner and consultant with TG Three, LLC, where he advised presidents, boards of trustees, and senior leadership teams at Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries across the country. His work focused on institutional strategy, enrollment growth, financial sustainability, mission alignment, brand development, and organizational transformation, helping institutions navigate change while remaining rooted in their Christian mission.
Grounded in the Free Methodist tradition, Dr. Willis is passionate about Christian higher education. He is wholly invested in service to the students of Roberts Wesleyan University, including the embedded Northeastern Seminary, and the deeply rooted mission of preparing graduates to lead lives of faith, service, and purpose.
Dr. Willis and his wife, Jillian, a Free Methodist pastor, have been married for 25 years and have three daughters: Lucy, Sadie, and Evelyn.
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