Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter, PhD '85

Kerstetter served as president of the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina for nine years until his retirement in 2018. Prior, he served as the 17th President of Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS for seven years. Kerstetter's career spanned 47 years in public and private higher education, encompassing a wide range of increasingly responsible roles in all segments of university and college governance.

Kerstetter is a recognized authority on assessment and strategic planning and has also authored numerous grants. He also has served on many state and national committees, such as with the Boards at Thiel College, the State YMCA of Pennsylvania, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, the Salina Area United Way, the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. He was Chair of the Board of Directors of United Way of Wayne County, a member of the Board of Conference Carolinas, and a member of the Presidents Council for Division II of the NCAA.

Kerstetter holds a Ph.D. in special education administration from Gallaudet, an M.Ed. in college counseling from the University of Delaware, and a B.A. in religion from Bucknell University.

Education

• B.A., Religion, Bucknell University
• M.Ed., College Counseling, University of Delaware
• Ph.D., Special Education, Gallaudet University