Higher education leadership is a calling for President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. He is recognized as a champion for students, focusing on improving educational access, opportunities and experiences for students, including those who have historically been underserved. His passion is an excellent match for Houghton University and the vision of the University’s founder, Willard J. Houghton, who recognized how a life-bringing Christian faith, together with a high quality education, could alter the trajectory of a person’s life.
President Lewis cast a bold vision for Houghton excellence. Already recognized as one of the top 15 “Best National” Liberal Arts Colleges in NY and the #10 Top Performers on Social Mobility of National Liberal Arts Colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Houghton will continue to make a private, high-quality Christian college education an option for more students.
President Lewis came to Houghton from Belmont University where he served as the inaugural Dean of the School of Education. He has also served as the Commissioner of Education for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, overseeing an agency with over 1,100 employees and a $5 billion annual budget.
A native of New Orleans, President Lewis is a graduate of St. Augustine High School, completed undergraduate study at Loyola University New Orleans, earned a master’s degree at The University of Akron’s Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, completed post-baccalaureate teacher certification at The University of New Orleans, and earned a Ph.D. at North Carolina State University’s College of Education.
He is married to Monica and together they have a daughter, nine-year-old Whitley. They worship at Eastern Hills Church, where he serves on the teaching team.