This month, Miami's St. Thomas University is officially welcoming their new president, David A. Armstrong.
"The people here are wonderful, I love the diversity," Armstrong told WIOD's Manny Munoz. "I'm just happy to be here."
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, President Armstrong holds a Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in accounting, from Mercyhurst University.
Armstrong, a nationally-recognized speaker on future trends of higher education law and Title IX issues, has dedicated his career to making sure small, faith-based colleges not only survive but thrive in the new landscape of higher education.
"I'm a product of an institution just like St. Thomas University. I believe in that type of education," Armstrong explained to WIOD. "All the statistics show that [small, faith-based] colleges like that are best for students, they have a higher grade-point average, they graduate sooner, live with less debt, and are more apt to earn a terminal degree in their field if they go to faith-based schools."
Armstrong's commitment to the transformative power of a vibrant higher education has driven the colleges he’s worked in to experience remarkable growth in enrollment, corporate partnerships, and collegiate program agreements with other institutions through new academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular programs.
His vision has guided other institutions into the future with comprehensive strategic plans which emphasize student success, faculty innovation, and increased donor engagement and giving.
Looking toward St. Thomas, Armstrong strives to advance the mission and work of the university with a collaborative, innovative spirit.
He hopes that spirit will yield exciting new ventures and help expand the college's regional and national footprint.