Renée K. Herzing
President, Herzing University
Renée Herzing is President of Herzing University, a private nonprofit system focused on progressive, career-oriented adult learning. Herzing serves over 11,000 students nationally in healthcare, behavioral health, nursing, business, IT, and public safety through its 12 campuses in 8 states and its online division. Recognizing the strong demand for nurses, Herzing has graduated over 10,000 nurses from multiple nursing programs, including unique online and hybrid pathways. Over the past four years, Herzing has been awarded seven federal grants totaling more than $10 million to support underrepresented populations and expand the healthcare and mental health workforce.
Renée is passionate about human potential and educational access as the means to change lives. At Herzing, Renée has served as President for the last 16 years, improving student outcomes, fostering partnerships with healthcare organizations and community groups, expanding program offerings, and adding campus locations. She also led the institution through its conversion from a family-owned organization to a nonprofit institution (as of January 2015). During her prior 10 years at Herzing, she worked in various roles in student services, admissions, and online leadership, as well as Executive Vice President. She launched the University’s online division in 2003, which has been recognize for over 10 years by U.S. News & World Report for “Best Online Bachelor’s” among other designations.
Renée is also an influential voice in Wisconsin's educational and business communities and nationwide. In education, she serves on the Steering Committee of the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA), the Board of WAICU (Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities), and as Chair of the Member Experience Committee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. She is a member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), a global organization of over 35,000 CEOs, where she has held leadership roles in its healthcare, education, and music networks, and was recently voted in as the YPO Chapter Chair. Renée is also a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC), the Steering Committee of Milwaukee Women, Inc., and TEMPO Milwaukee. Additionally, she serves on the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Board of Directors and the MSO Audience Development Taskforce.
Before joining Herzing, Renée taught at and worked for various educational organizations in Europe. She was an early online student, achieving her MBA in 2001; she holds a B.A. with Honors, Magna Cum Laude, from Brown University. She is the co-author of Troubleshooting Your Business English, published in 2000, which helps native German speakers perfect their business English.
Away from work, Renée is passionate about music, performing for about 10 years at Summerfest as lead singer in a rock band (and playing “keytar”). She also loves salsa dancing, traveling, learning languages, doing anything on the beach or water, and spending as much time as possible with her two children.
