Ronald L. Branch Class of 1981

Before Ron Branch became Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Millikin University in 2021, he was a Class of 1981 Business Management graduate and a proud Big Blue parent, as his son, Malcolm Branch, Class of 2014, pursued a Management degree.

After being approached by former Millikin President Patrick White about the Board and interviewing for the position, Branch was invited to join in 2018. Before accepting the position, however, Branch told the former President that his focus would be on an area he felt was missing from the University experience.

“I told President White that I wanted to represent and feel comfortable in discussing the challenges for Black students on Millikin’s campus,” Branch said. “And he said that would absolutely be welcomed.”

Throughout Branch’s time as a Trustee, his efforts have been focused on improving and increasing opportunities for Black Americans. “Whether it be professionally, socially or civically, this has been my focus because I think that the world is better if everybody is moving positively in the same direction.” Branch mentioned further that this tenet was a focus of his life, not just in his capacity at Millikin University.

After graduating from Millikin, Branch experienced adversity and a lack of advancement in his professional career due to his race. Because of this experience, Branch wanted to change things for diverse students following in his footsteps. Establishing an equal and diverse playing field is a goal that Branch firmly believes requires change at every level, especially in a university setting.

For Millikin and for Branch, meaningful changes are on the horizon, as Branch is set to become Chairman of the Board of Trustees on July 1, 2023, after being nominated and elected by his fellow board members. Branch is the first Black man to hold this position in the University’s history, and he is grateful to be a person of change at Millikin. “Having diversity and inclusion as a main part of the Strategic Initiative is, for me, extremely necessary and critical to the stability and growth of Millikin University.”

In looking ahead to his position as Chairman, Branch hopes to influence change by looking back at his time at Millikin, in which the percentage of diverse students enrolled, along with the graduation and retention rate, was far less than it is today. “Inclusivity and diversity are huge pieces for Millikin, because it is important to embrace, accept and help make our diverse student body successful,” Branch said.