Office of the President

Siena Heights University is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Cheri Betz as its 12th and final President. A dedicated educator and experienced leader, Dr. Betz brings more than two decades of service and innovation to this historic role as the University’s chief executive officer. She will guide Siena Heights through its concluding academic year, overseeing all academic and operational functions on the Adrian, Michigan, campus; through Siena’s national online platform; and within correctional facilities through the University’s nationally recognized prison education program.

Dr. Betz has been a member of the Siena Heights community since 2002, most recently serving as Executive Vice President, where she has been instrumental in advancing institutional effectiveness and cultivating new opportunities for growth. Prior to that role, she served as Dean for Graduate and Professional Studies, where she led Siena’s online bachelor’s degree program to a #1 state ranking (U.S. News & World Report, 2017–2025) and earned national recognition from 2014–2025. She also oversaw the expansion of Siena’s presence in Dearborn and Kalamazoo and launched the Rising Education Program in partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections to provide degree opportunities for incarcerated students.

As Dean of the Graduate College, Dr. Betz spearheaded the development of new master’s programs, including the MBA and MSN, while strengthening academic quality and outcomes. She has also played key roles in numerous accreditation efforts, serving as lead liaison for Siena’s 2019 HLC multi-location visit and providing executive support for additional specialized accreditations.

Dr. Betz earned her Doctor of Education from Olivet Nazarene University, a Master of Arts in Leadership from Siena Heights University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Olivet Nazarene University. In addition to her professional service, she has served since 2017 on the Olivet Nazarene University Board of Trustees.

She and her husband of 27 years, Steve, live in Tecumseh, Michigan, with their two children, Erich and Sophia and their Irish Wolfhound, Cosmo. Together, the Betz family are actively involved in their community and church.