President Matthew Derr is nationally recognized in higher education for his expertise in leading institutional change and for strengthening mission-based focus. In 2011, He was awarded a Council for Advancement and Support of Education Chief Executive of the Year Award. Derr led the effort to divest the Sterling endowment from fossil fuels, founded the Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, and recently launched an effort with The Berry Center to expand the reach of farmer education. Prior to Sterling, President Derr served as Interim President of Antioch College, where, he developed a concept for a new curriculum focused on issues related to environmental stewardship, inspired by Sterling. Unusually for a college president, Derr also fulfills a role as a faculty member and teaches community organizing.
Profile
| Award | Institution |
|---|---|
| MSW Community Organizing | University of Michigan |
| BA in History | Antioch College |
| Publications |
|---|
| The Civic Role of Higher Education (Huffington Post) |
| Sterling College: Aligning Our Investments with Our Values (Trillium Investment newsletter) |
| Endorsement for Civil Rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People Among Heterosexual College Students: Informing Socially Just Policy Advocacy (Journal of Community Practice) |
| 24/7: The New Role of Food in American Life (presentation at New York University, October 2013) |
| Where the Opportunities Exist for Improved Socially Responsible Investing and Environmental Social Governance Returns (11th Annual Foundation, Endowment, & Not for Profit Investment Summit, January 2014) |
Interests:
Issues related to food systems, social justice, and sustainabilityMatthew's Recent Blog Posts
NYU Donates Over 300 Food Related Books
Sterling College and New York University’s collaboration on sustainable food systems has led to the recent donation of over 300 food systems related books. These books are a gift of…
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Christopher W. Bordeau is the new Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations at Sterling College. With eight years in higher education development, Bordeau will lead the recently announced $9 million…
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Sterling College welcomed two new staff members over the summer. Simeon Bittman is our new Executive Chef. Simeon comes to Sterling with an Associate’s degree from the Culinary Institute of…
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