President Emeritus 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, 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. Derr’s presidency ended on October 31, 2021, but he continues to serve as an advisor and friend to the College.
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
President Matthew Derr Elected as Commissioner to New England Commission of Higher Education
Sterling College President Matthew Derr Elected as Commissioner to New England Commission of Higher Education Sterling College President Matthew Derr has been elected as a commissioner to New England Commission…
View moreFor the Third Consecutive Year, Sterling College is #1 for Real Food
Sterling College has once again been confirmed as the top college in the United States that serves food on campus that is local, sustainable, humane, and fair-trade. This is the…
View moreSterling College Celebrates Another Record Year in Enrollment & Fundraising
September 3, 2015 • Craftsbury Common, VT • As headlines across the country declare that “small colleges are in trouble” and highlight dire predictions for small, private higher education institutions,…
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