Kristi Mindrup Appointed the Thirteenth President of Western Illinois University

After eight months of service as interim president, Kristi Mindrup has been officially named the thirteenth president of Western Illinois University in Macomb, making her the institution’s first woman president.

According to the Department of Education’s most recent data, Western Illinois University enrolls roughly 5,300 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students. Women represent 57 percent of the undergraduate population.

Prior to her interim appointment in April, Dr. Mindrup served as vice president of operations for Western Illinois University’s Quad Cities campus. She has been a staff member with the university for nearly three decades, previously serving as assistant vice president of academic affairs and assistant vice president of Quad Cities and planning.

“Dr. Mindrup has demonstrated outstanding leadership since her appointment to interim president in April 2024,” said Carin Stutz, chair of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees. “She has proven to be the bold, transparent, strategic, and thoughtful leader that WIU needs today.”

Dr. Mindrup received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a second bachelor’s degree in social studies and secondary education from the University of Northern Iowa. She received a master’s degree in instructional design from Western Illinois University and a Ph.D. in educational policy and leadership studies from the University of Iowa.