By Michael Pedro
Following the departure of President Robert E. Johnson at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, Western New England University was in an uncertain state. The university had just accepted the largest incoming class in the university’s 106-year history and had no president to lead the campus body. A committee of trustees reached out to several people with university-related leadership experience, and through this, Michael B. Alexander was selected to be the new Interim President of Western New England University. But who is he, exactly?
Michael B. Alexander was born in Ohio to a family with a strong background in education. His grandfather was the president of Antioch College during his younger years, so running a university is in his blood. His family also has a strong background in taking care of animals. “I come from an animal-oriented family; we had horses, dogs, cats, fish, and lizards,” Alexander said. “Growing up, my father was a zookeeper. He couldn’t afford to stay a zookeeper due to having many children, so he became a stockbroker.” When he went to college, he chose the prestigious Harvard University as an undergraduate to major in the History and Literature of America. His time at Harvard led him to consider Massachusetts his home.
Following college, Alexander gained numerous years of leadership experience. As a former CEO of four companies over the span of twenty years, Alexander boasts an impressive resume. On the collegiate side, however, it gets even more impressive. He first worked in administrative positions at Ohio State University, Barnard College in New York City, and Smith College, which is a few cities over in Northampton, then followed in his grandfather’s footsteps in 2007 when he became the president of Lasell University. “I ran Lasell for 16 years and retired for a variety of reasons,” Alexander said. “My first year of retirement was okay, as I got to work with students at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.” This amount of experience as both a CEO and a university administrator proved he could be productive, and he knew it. “I felt I could be productive, and after my first year of retirement, I felt that productivity wasn’t being utilized. So, when this opportunity came my way, I jumped at it,” Alexander said. And thus, Michael B. Alexander assumed the role of interim president at Western New England University.
As the interim president, Alexander plans to waste no time in preparing Western New England University for a fruitful future. “Like most universities, Western New England University is facing financial challenges. The Board of Trustees has hired me for a year to specifically address those challenges and clear the decks for the next President. When they arrive, they can lead the university forward to a bright and sustainable future,” Alexander said. He already feels at home here, noting that the soul of the campus lies in its students. “Around August 20, the students arrived and brought the energy,” Alexander said. “When the first-years arrived, I stood out in front of Rivers and greeted them and their families. I love standing there as they arrive, all eager and anxious, and it’s good to see them since I know the great adventure they are going to embark upon.”
Interim President Alexander may only be here for a short time, but he’s sure to leave a lasting mark. “I’m delighted to spend my time back here in Massachusetts, where it really feels like home,” Alexander said. He ensures that he wants everyone else to feel the same, by ensuring that Western New England University remains a home for students, faculty, and staff alike for years to come.
