Frombgen begins work as the new president of Southwestern
July 26, 2022 1:31pm
July 08, 2022
Elizabeth Frombgen has completed her first week as Southwestern College’s 20th President.
“It is a great day to be a Builder,” said Frombgen. “Southwestern College is an incredible institution with strong academic and extracurricular offerings; a beautifully historic campus; and unique traditions, but what truly makes our college so distinctive are the wonderfully caring people – students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community.”
Frombgen and her husband, Doug Kinnear, a retired professor of economics, moved to Winfield in early June from Pennsylvania where Frombgen was the vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Thiel College.
“We have been so kindly greeted by the people of Winfield and by my colleagues on campus,” said Frombgen. “Winfield is going to be a great home to us both.”
Though Frombgen’s first official day was July 1, she was around campus throughout June, getting the lay of the land and meeting with constituents. Frombgen also hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the college’s new residence hall at the corner of Warren Avenue and Houston Street in mid-June.
Her first official week as president was spent meeting with faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and community members to listen and plan.
“In a few weeks we’ll begin welcoming the Class of 2026 and returning students to campus and we are excitedly preparing for their arrival and the academic year,” said Frombgen.
Frombgen, a political scientist, professor, and administrator with more than 20 years of experience in higher education, has notable practice in strengthening the student experience, curriculum revision, market-based program development, and student retention work. Additionally, Frombgen is known for building cooperative relationships with alumni and the community that strengthen the institutions she has served. She is committed to instilling a campus climate in which all are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
“With the support of our community and the Builder family we are committed to continuing the transformational work that has defined Southwestern for 137 years, and together we will propel our college to the next level of excellence and impact.”
Frombgen earned her Ph.D. and master of arts degree in political science from Purdue University and her bachelor of arts degree from Western Washington University. She was on faculty at Hastings College from 2001 to 2012, serving as a professor and department chair before accepting the role of associate vice president for academic affairs, a position she held until 2017 when she accepted the position at Thiel.