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 sustainability

Matthew's Recent Blog Posts

Juneteenth at Sterling

Posted June 19, 2021 by Matthew Derr read more

Post-Election & Post-Pandemic What is next for Higher Education?

Posted November 25, 2020 by Matthew Derr read more

Sterling College President Responds to Climate Emergency

Posted June 11, 2019 by Matthew Derr read more