Press Kit - President Zenger
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Brief Biography
Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., became the 21st president of Illinois Wesleyan University on July 1, 2024. Dr. Zenger has more than 30 years of experience as an educator, coach, fundraiser, and higher education leader. A visionary fundraiser, he has raised nearly $400 million throughout this career to support capital projects and signature initiatives.
Prior to joining Illinois Wesleyan, Dr. Zenger was Interim President of the University of New Haven. He previously served as Director of Athletics at UNH, Executive in Residence at Texas Christian University, and Director of Athletics at the University of Kansas. He was Athletic Director at Illinois State University in Normal from 2005-2011.
Dr. Zenger received his bachelor's degree in English/Secondary Education and his master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Kansas State University. He received his doctoral degree in Educational Policy & Leadership from the University of Kansas.
Dr. Zenger and his wife, Pam, have three adult children.
Longer Biography
Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., became the 21st president of Illinois Wesleyan University on July 1, 2024. Dr. Zenger has more than 30 years of experience as an educator, coach, fundraiser, and higher education leader. A visionary fundraiser, he has raised nearly $400 million throughout this career to support capital projects and signature initiatives.
Prior to joining Illinois Wesleyan, Dr. Zenger was Interim President of the University of New Haven. He served as the University’s outward facing community leader, providing strategic leadership and financial management, creating relationships with stakeholders, and fostering pride across the University of New Haven community. He led the development and launch of the University’s new Power On brand, which generated new visibility and a spike in applications. He also provided oversight for the University’s 2026 strategic plan: "A Bold Path Forward." In 2024, he was named their Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
He previously served as Director of Athletics at UNH, where he drove the growth of student-athlete enrollment from 360 to nearly 500; created the Chargers Athletics Fund; directed the development of the Chargers Alliance, a student-athlete-led organization designed to give a voice to minority students; and oversaw the addition of three new varsity sports.
Prior to joining the University of New Haven, he spent seven years as director of athletics at the Division I University of Kansas, where he oversaw a program with 210 full-time staff and an annual budget of more than $100 million. Under his leadership, the program set a record for cumulative student-athlete GPA.
From 2005 to 2011, he was director of athletics at Illinois State University, where he significantly increased athletic revenue, annual giving, and the performance of student-athletes on the field and in the classroom.
Dr. Zenger received his bachelor's degree in English/Secondary Education and his master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Kansas State University. He received his doctoral degree in Educational Policy & Leadership from the University of Kansas.
Dr. Zenger and his wife, Pam, have three adult children.
