Joe Odenwald

The appointment of the 14th president of Alma College was made unanimously by the Alma College Board of Trustees, based on the recommendation of the presidential search committee. A first-generation college graduate, Odenwald in 2005 earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana College, a private university that enrolls about 1,100 students. He further earned his Master of Science degree from Mississippi College, Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and master’s degree in management, strategy and leadership from Michigan State University. He also holds a Certificate in Fundraising Management from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Prior to his service at Southwestern Michigan College, Odenwald served in a variety of key academic leadership roles. He worked for six years in student affairs at Mississippi College, ultimately serving as associate dean of students and an adjunct faculty member in the school of education. Odenwald moved on to the College of Engineering at Louisiana State University, where he served as assistant dean for academic affairs and student services, before joining SMC in 2017 as its vice president of student services.