John P. Marsden, Ph.D., became the tenth president of Midway University on February 1, 2013. A transformational leader, he collaboratively managed a turnaround of Midway University through coeducation, launch of men's athletics, international partnerships, expansion of graduate programs, and financial stewardship. A rapid growth in traditional enrollment fueled a capital campaign that will yield residence hall renovations as well as construction of a field house and baseball stadium in 2018 and 2019. Dr. Marsden’s success was recognized in 2018 by Bluegrass Tomorrow, an organization focused on quality of life in the 18-county Bluegrass Region, when he received the Excellence in Education Vision Award for the turnaround of Midway University. 

Dr. Marsden’s 20-year career in higher education includes teaching a range of courses from the undergraduate level to the doctoral level; administration as a provost and head of university strategic planning; and authorship or co-authorship of four books in the areas of assisted living and dementia care settings, as well as many book chapters, articles, and presentations. A first-generation American, he was raised on Long Island, NY. He earned a B.Arch. with a minor in Industrial Management from Carnegie Mellon University, a M.Arch. and Graduate Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of Michigan.