Dakota Wesleyan University names Daniel Kittle as next president for spring 2022

Morgan Matzen, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
·2 min read

Dakota Wesleyan University’s 21st president will be Daniel Kittle, according to an announcement made on campus Tuesday.

Kittle will replace former DWU President Amy Novak, who departed from the university in February to serve as president at St. Ambrose University in Iowa. Since Novak’s departure, executive vice president Theresa Kriese has filled the role of interim president. Kittle will assume the presidency by March 2022.

“I enter this community with a spirit of humility, with much to learn, and equally with determination, knowing that we have compelling opportunities and challenges,” Kittle said in a statement.

To take the helm at DWU, Kittle is leaving his post as vice president for student life and dean of students at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

Daniel Kittle will take the helm of Dakota Wesleyan University as the 21st President by March 2022.
Daniel Kittle will take the helm of Dakota Wesleyan University as the 21st President by March 2022.

He served there for more than 16 years, with roles in academic affairs, director of the center for community engagement, assistant to the president for strategic initiatives, vice president for student life and dean of students.

Kittle has his B.S. in public relations and political science from Heidelberg University, an M.A. in political science and a Ph.D. in higher, adult, learning and education from Michigan State University. In 2009, Dr. Kittle also completed the Foundations of Christian Leadership program through Duke University.

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He is married to Ashley Kittle, a conservation professional with a special interest in ecosystems management. She has worked as a naturalist and conservationist most recently focused on soil and water conservation practices. They have a 7-year-old son, Grant, who enjoys soccer, Cub Scouts and being outside.

“The board and the entire Dakota Wesleyan community are so very pleased to welcome Dr. Dan Kittle and his family to the university,” DWU board of trustees chair Doug Powers said in a statement. “Our charge as a board was to find the best possible candidate and we are certain that Dr. Kittle’s background and experiences have well prepared him to carry out the important work of leading the university.”

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Dakota Wesleyan University names Daniel Kittle as next DWU president