After more than eight years since being named Dakota Wesleyan University’s 20th president, Dr. Amy Novak’s last day is today. Novak says she will fondly remember the relationships that have been cultivated during her time as president. “I’ve been changed by those people with whom I’ve interacted, whether it was students or faculty, staff, our donors. I take all of those moments and really just cherish those.”
She says those who chose her as president in 2013 took a risk on her. “I certainly didn’t come with the normal academic pedigree or the normal academic background, and they took a risk.” Novak, who is a graduate of Mitchell High School, graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor of arts in history. She earned a masters of science in social and applied economics from Wright State University and received her doctor of education in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University in 2014. She came to DWU in 2003 as a grant administrator in the TRIO Student Support Services program, and advanced to vice president of enrollment from 2004 to 2007 and provost from 2007 to 2013.
During Novak’s presidency, Dakota Wesleyan has seen record enrollments along with upgrades and expansions, including a new science center, a new sport and wellness complex, a new performing arts space, and a new business school. She says she is proud of those things as well. “I’m certainly proud of what we’ve accomplished in terms of new facilities on campus, enrollment growth, the retention of students, and the overall student experience.”
Novak will leave DWU to take a job as president of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. Teresa Kriese has been named interim president at Dakota Wesleyan University.