Rick Melson, Ph.D. in

Rick Melson, Ph.D.

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President & Professor of Leadership at Southwest Baptist University
📍 Bolivar, Missouri, United States

Rick Melson is the 26th President of Southwest Baptist University, bringing over 30 years of leadership in Christian higher education. With a PhD in Leadership from Dallas Baptist University and executive education from Harvard, he is described by others as a visionary, gracious, and strategic leader passionate about equipping the next generation.

Outside of his presidential duties, Rick is a family man, married to Christy with two adult children, Tanner and Chloe. He is also an avid runner, balancing his professional commitments with personal fitness and family life. His work and life are deeply rooted in his Christian faith.

He led a historic fundraising campaign at Cedarville University that raised over $205 million.

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Current Role
President & Professor of Leadership
Job Level
Senior
Location
Bolivar, Missouri, United States
Personality Overview

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Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

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Priorities

Topics Rick cares about

Christian Higher Education
His entire career, including his current presidency and previous roles at Cedarville and Houghton, has been dedicated to advancing Christ-centered universities.
University Advancement
He has a distinguished career in university fundraising, notably leading a campaign at Cedarville University that successfully raised over $205 million.
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Career

Work history

President & Professor of Leadership
Southwest Baptist University
Vice President for Advancement & Associate Professor of Business Administration
Cedarville University
Executive Committee & Chair of the Advancement Committee, Board of Trustees
Crown College
Vice President for Advancement and External Relations, Faculty Member
Houghton University
President and CEO
Houghton University
In the press

Media appearances

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Education
Institute for Educational Management (IEM)
Harvard Graduate School of Education
2007 - 2014
PhD
Dallas Baptist University
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

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