Victoria N. Folse

14th president

2022-Present

Dr. Victoria N. Folse brings a distinguished background in nursing, higher education leadership, and student wellness to her role as president. She earned degrees in nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University and the University of Illinois at Chicago, and completed her Ph.D. in nursing with a concentration in research at Saint Louis University.

Before joining Ripon College, she held multiple leadership positions across 20 years at Illinois Wesleyan University, including serving as director and endowed chair of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences as well as executive director of Counseling and Health Services and Director of the School of Music. Prior to Illinois Wesleyan, she taught at Bradley University and spent 15 years providing full-time treatment for eating disorders.

Since assuming the presidency at Ripon, Dr. Folse has led a comprehensive strategic planning process and overseen significant campus enhancements. These include the opening of the on-campus Hopp Stadium, the renovation and expansion of the Franzen Science Center, and upgrades to the residence halls. Under her leadership, Ripon launched its first Bachelor of Science in engineering program and its first master’s degree program in exercise science. The Forever Ripon campaign — the largest philanthropic and engagement initiative in the College’s history — also successfully concluded during her tenure.