Paul J. Maurer

Paul J. Maurer became the eighth president of Montreat College in July 2014. He is a visionary and results-driven leader who believes deeply in the value of Christ-centered higher education. President Maurer has more than 30 years of leadership experience in nonprofit and higher education administration. Prior to Montreat College, Dr. Maurer served as president of Sterling College, a sister institution within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

Dr. Maurer’s tenure at Montreat College has been marked by multiple years of record enrollment, a host of new academic programs, and dozens of physical campus upgrades. He led the college to clarify its identity as a Christ-centered institution, which resulted in a mission-centric culture focused on intellectual inquiry, spiritual formation, and preparation for calling and career. It also means the college intentionally teaches character and ethics in all degree programs.

Under Dr. Maurer’s guidance, the college has recommitted to teaching the liberal arts competencies, believing that the development of character, reading, writing, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills are the core of a good education and what is most desired by employers. At the heart of the college’s liberal arts commitment is a rapidly growing Great Books, Big Questions honors program that combines graduate-style seminar courses with any major.

Dr. Maurer is a published author and frequent speaker. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from Claremont Graduate University, where he was an H. B. Earhart Fellow and a John M. Olin Fellow. He earned his B.A. from the University of Cincinnati where he was co-captain of the men’s soccer team and a local Young Life leader. He earned his Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Dr. Maurer is a scholar of the American presidency and teaches American Constitutional History.