Following contract negotiations after the WVU Board of Governors Feb. 20 meeting, Michael T. Benson was officially announced Monday (Feb. 24) as the 27th president of West Virginia University. His appointment will begin in July. (WVU Graphic)
The new president of West Virginia University will bring three decades of academic and administrative experience in higher education to his role leading West Virginia’s flagship, land-grant higher education institution into a new era.
Following contract negotiations after the WVU Board of Governors meeting Feb. 20, Michael T. Benson, the current president of Coastal Carolina University, was officially announced Monday (Feb. 24) as the 27th University president. His appointment will begin in July.
“I am honored to be named president of West Virginia University — one of our nation’s oldest land-grant institutions,” Benson said. “My 30-year career in public higher education has prepared me for this singular opportunity, and I wish to thank the Board of Governors for the trust they have placed in me and hope to earn that same level of trust and support from the entire WVU community.”
WVU will be Benson’s fifth presidency. Prior to his arrival at Coastal Carolina in 2021, Benson previously served as president of Snow College, Southern Utah University and Eastern Kentucky University.
During his tenure at Coastal Carolina, Benson secured a $10 million gift, the largest in the school’s history, and he worked closely with community partners and policymakers to advance initiatives that benefitted CCU.
“I’m looking forward to bringing that same approach to West Virginia as I meet with people from across the WVU System, and from city hall to the State Capitol, along with West Virginians from communities across the state and our incredible network of alumni around the world,” Benson said.
WVU BOG Chair Rick Pill said Benson’s success in accelerating student enrollment and fundraising to record levels at CCU and his commitment to building strong partnerships is among the factors that led to his selection as the next president at WVU.
“As we look to advance our University and adapt to the fast-evolving world of higher education, the role of our University president is more critical now than ever,” Pill said. “On the heels of securing record-high retention numbers, maintaining a strong financial footing, developing positive student success programming and raising unprecedented dollars through the WVU Foundation, West Virginia University remains the formidable, flagship, land-grant institution that we all know and love. We look forward to Dr. Benson's leadership in continuing to guide us on this upward trajectory.”
The announcement of Benson’s hiring marks the culmination of an extensive Presidential Search that began in earnest in May 2024 for a replacement for President Gordon Gee whose second stint leading the University will come to a planned close this summer.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Dr. Michael T. Benson to the Mountaineer family,” said Dr. Patrice Harris, WVU BOG vice-chair and chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “As our presidential search officially closes and we turn the page to begin a new West Virginia University chapter, we express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for all those who participated. The WVU community’s collective feedback helped us find a leader who exemplifies the right values and qualifications to serve at the helm of West Virginia’s flagship university. We can all be proud of the search process.”
Benson earned his doctoral degree in modern history from the University of Oxford, St. Antony’s College. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University.
Benson has also held faculty appointments at the University of Utah, the University of Notre Dame and Johns Hopkins University, and has taught at each institution where he served as president, including Coastal Carolina where he is a professor of history.
Lesley Cottrell is a professor of pediatrics, director of the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities and a faculty representative serving on the WVU Board of Governors. She said she believes Benson is the right person to lead the University into the future with a vision of improving academic excellence and enhancing community connections.
“I am excited about the selection of Michael Benson as our new president of WVU. I am confident that his academic background makes him aware of the challenges that characterize the new wave of students and the new challenges facing higher education,” Cottrell said.
“Most importantly, he understands the importance of WVU for the state and how we can make a difference in the lives of those living here. Dr. Benson has shown his commitment to empowering local students through tailored initiatives, and with a deep appreciation for the cultural and educational needs of the Appalachian region. His style of collaborative leadership ensures that the faculty, staff and students are valued, and their contributions are considered, while his focus on community engagement is aligned with our vision at West Virginia University.”
Born in Utah, Benson was raised in Texas and Indiana, and worked and studied abroad for more than six years in Italy, England and Israel. He is an accomplished athlete who played basketball at both BYU and Oxford.
He is the author of several books, including “Daniel Coit Gilman and the Birth of the American Research University,” published by the Johns Hopkins University Press in 2022. Forbes Magazine named it among the best higher education books in 2023.
“I believe in leading by example,” Benson said. “I’m enthusiastic about getting started and ready to collaborate with the faculty and staff as we create the best possible teaching, learning and living environment for every Mountaineer student.”
Student Government Association President Charlie Long said he was honored to be part of the Presidential Search process. In his role as SGA president, Long is also the student representative on the WVU BOG.
“The selection of Michael Benson as our next president makes me feel as proud as ever to be a Mountaineer,” Long said. “As a professor with extensive experience in the classroom, I feel confident that he will work well with students and always know what’s on our minds. I can speak from first-hand experience that Benson is a class act and someone who will make sure WVU continues to be a place where everyone belongs.”
Benson and his wife, Debi, are the parents of three children — Truman, Tatum and Talmage. He has two older children from a previous marriage, Emma and Samuel. An avid traveler, he has visited all 50 states and five of the seven continents.
“We can’t wait to get started and experience all the Mountain State has to offer,” Benson said.
Transition planning for Benson will begin immediately.
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