Leadership

President

Scott Flanagan, Ed.D.

Dr. Scott Flanagan became the seventh president of Edgewood College on August 1, 2014.

Since that time, the College has sustained record-high graduation rates, reduced time to degree completion, achieved record levels of racial and ethnic diversity, and been recognized with numerous honors, including being named to the “Best National Universities” list by U.S. News & World Report; “Best in the Midwest” by the Princeton Review; MONEY Magazine “Best” List for 2017-18; and more. Through the engagement of Trustees, faculty, staff, and students, the College has articulated a bold, forward-looking vision supported by a new strategic framework that guides institutional action. 

Dr. Flanagan is a respected leader both in higher education circles and locally. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and is the chair of the Committee on Accountability.  Flanagan is the chair of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), the NCAA Division III conference in which the Edgewood College Eagles compete. Since 2016, Flanagan has served on the task force for the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) New Presidents’ Workshop, and he presents annually at that workshop. Locally, Flanagan currently serves on the Business Education Collaborative - Madison Regional Economic Partnership and the Higher Education Advisory Board for Congressman Mark Pocan.

A member of the Edgewood College community since 1998, Flanagan’s previous roles have included Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Vice President for Planning & Enrollment, interim Chief Financial Officer (twice), and Executive Vice President. In addition, he has taught a doctoral course in Higher Education Finance. Flanagan previously served as Director of Admissions, Director of Athletics, and Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Services at the University of Saint Francis (IN), where freshman classes tripled during his five years of leadership. Flanagan currently serves as a Peer Evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission.

During his career, Flanagan has successfully led development and implementation of two strategic plans, implementation of new athletic programs, establishment of an off-campus site, and creation of a comprehensive plan for diversity. Flanagan has been a presenter and consultant on trends in higher education, strategic planning, enrollment management, leadership, and change management. While a member of the Oregon, Wis. Board of Education, Flanagan was a key contributor to Accountability for Student Achievement, a policy paper which received recognition from the National Association of School Boards.

Flanagan holds a doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, where his dissertation was recognized with distinction. He earned an M.B.A. from the University of Saint Francis, and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an undergraduate degree in political science.

 

 

Vice President for Enrollment Management

Christine Benedict

Christine Benedict serves as the Vice-President for Enrollment Management. She comes to this role with 15 years of experience in higher education in the field of admissions and enrollment management.  

Ms. Benedict is an alumna of Lawrence University where she majored in French and biology. She earned her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at Indiana University. She began her career at the College in 2002 as an admissions counselor, and was promoted to the Director of Undergraduate Admissions in 2005.  The College enjoyed several years of steady enrollment under her tenure.  

In 2012, Ms. Benedict completed the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  

Vice President for Business and Finance

Michael Guns

Michael Guns joined Edgewood College as Vice President of Business and Finance in April 2011.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Guns served as Chief Financial Officer of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan and as Vice President of Finance for a national health plan.

Mr. Guns is a Certified Public Accountant with public accounting experience serving mission-driven organizations including colleges and universities.  He brings a wealth of financial management and facilities management expertise.

Vice President for Dominican Life & Mission

Maggie Hopkins, O.P.

Maggie Hopkins, O.P., inspired by and aware that at the heart of all we do is relationship, assists the President, leadership and the College community in the ongoing education and promotion of Edgewood College as a liberal arts Catholic college in the Dominican Tradition.  

Sr. Hopkins has served Edgewood College since April 1991. She became a vowed member of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in 1966.

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Gary Klein, CFRE

Mr. Klein brings nearly twenty years of experience in fundraising and development in higher education. During that time he has demonstrated the ability to build a culture and system of philanthropy and the ability to build rapport with faculty, staff and donors.

Mr. Klein previously served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Viterbo University in La Crosse since 2002. During that time, he developed and led the successful completion of a capital campaign that generated more than $40 million for Viterbo, surpassing the original campaign goal.   

Prior to his work at Viterbo, Mr. Klein served for five years at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minn., where he progressed from Director of Major Gifts to Vice President for Institutional Advancement. 

Vice President for Academic Affairs / Academic Dean

Dean Pribbenow, Ph.D.

Dean Pribbenow, Ph.D. has served as Vice President for Academic Affairs/Academic Dean since July 2012. 

Prior to his current role, Dr. Pribbenow served as Dean of the School of Integrative Studies for more than five years. 

Dr. Pribbenow has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Luther College, a Master of Science degree in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.