Schellenberger promoted from provost to president at Culver-Stockton beginning July 1

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College Board of Trustee members recently unanimously approved Lauren B. Schellenberger, provost and vice president for academic affairs, to become the 28th president of Culver-Stockton College on July 1. 

“Culver-Stockton College is a place where students of promise experience transformational growth through a distinctive curriculum and outstanding opportunities for student leadership and engagement.  This institution has changed students’ lives for the better for the past 170 years, and it is my honor to lead the College as we further our mission,” Schellenberger said in a press release. 

“We are proud to elect Dr. Schellenberger to the role of president,” Ron Leftwich, outgoing chairman of the board of trustees, said. “Dr. Schellenberger has displayed exceptional leadership and academic knowledge in her 15 years with the college and has shown she will be the next great president of C-SC.” 

Schellenberger began her career at C-SC as an assistant professor of biology while completing her doctorate in biology education at Purdue University. She has extensive experience in research, teaching and industry. Schellenberger has served the college in executive leadership roles since 2018 and most recently as a chief academic officer in the position of provost. She has served on and chaired countless committees since joining C-SC. 

“As we celebrate the 170th year at Culver-Stockton, we look forward to Dr. Schellenberger leading our college into the future,” incoming board chair H.B. Turner said. “Her in-depth knowledge of Culver-Stockton gives her a head start in developing plans for success.”

Schellenberger will succeed Douglas B. Palmer, who served as C-SC’s 27th president from July 2020-June 2023. Palmer announced in March he accepted the presidency at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich.  

Schellenberger and her husband, Steven, live in Canton, along with their two sons. 

The college will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 1 in the Johnson-Turner IDEA Center. A formal inauguration will be planned for a later date.