DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University President Dean Pribbenow recently took part in an episode of The Table Podcast, hosted by Brad Wike and Chris Hembrough, produced by Peerless Cleaning & Restoration Services.
During the interview, Pribbenow, who became Millikin’s 17th President on July 1, shared his thoughts on many topics, including his thoughts on leadership and his vision for Millikin moving towards the 125th Anniversary of its founding.
Here are some of the highlights from the in-depth interview:
A first-generation college student, Pribbenow changed majors and even left school before returning, and those experiences have helped him connect with today’s students.
He emphasized Millikin’s distinctive Performance Learning model, where students apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings early in their college careers to discover passions, gain practical skills, and prepare for meaningful futures.
Pribbenow acknowledged the challenges facing higher education—declining enrollment trends, rising costs, and alternative career pathways—but expressed optimism. Millikin recently shared that they had the largest undergraduate class since 2020, with 545 new students beginning their studies at Millikin this fall, a 17% increase.
Pribbenow also highlighted new facilities like the Rathje Athletic Center and the Center for Theatre & Dance, along with the energy new Athletics coaches are bringing to athletics and recruitment.
Looking forward, he sees opportunities for growth in graduate programs, online and hybrid learning, and interdisciplinary fields such as Agribusiness. He believes artificial intelligence will be transformative in education, provided it’s used responsibly, and Millikin has already joined a national initiative to prepare faculty and students.
Rooted in humility and teamwork, Pribbenow's leadership focuses on listening first, supporting others’ growth, and carrying forward Millikin’s legacy of personalized, applied education.
- On Millikin’s distinct approach:
“Performance learning is about giving students the chance to apply what they learn in real-world settings so they’re prepared for meaningful careers from day one.”
- On student exploration:
“It’s better for students to discover their passions—or change their minds—early, rather than waiting until senior year.”
- On Millikin’s welcoming culture:
“From the very beginning, I have felt nothing but welcomed by the Millikin and Decatur communities.”
- On affordability:
“The Big Blue Pledge makes a Millikin education accessible by resetting tuition and promising families predictability in cost.”
- On teamwork and leadership:
“Like in team sports, success comes when everyone understands their role and works together for the good of the institution.”
- On AI and the future of education:
“AI will be transformative. Our responsibility is to teach students how to use it wisely, ethically, and effectively.”
- On leadership philosophy:
“Keep an open mind to opportunities you didn’t expect. Some of the best paths in life come from invitations you didn’t plan for.”
