Media Kit
Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble Biography
Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble was named President of Webster University in 2009. In her first four years, Dr. Stroble's leadership has achieved an immediate positive impact for this university.
Since her arrival, Webster has advanced global academic and operational excellence through strategic investments in new facilities and technology infrastructure; launched the public phase of a $55 million campaign and exceeded the campaign's goal even with a challenging economy; expanded partnerships locally and globally; enhanced the institution's reputation as a Tier 1 institution; strengthened academic programs and services for students here and internationally; and developed leadership and recruited additional talent among faculty, staff, and administrators.
Webster University has been recognized among America's Best Colleges as ranked by Forbes magazine and continuously ranks in the top tier of the U.S. News and World Report college rankings. It has been recognized by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine, G.I. Jobs magazine and Advanced Military Education magazine for several years for providing an environment in which diverse graduate students and members of the military can be successful and earn degrees. For study abroad, Webster University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in the top two percent of nearly 1,400 universities surveyed, and is ranked by the Institute of International Education in the top ten in the nation for long-term study abroad programs, among master's level universities.
Dr. Stroble is the chairperson of the Institutional Partnerships Focus Group of the U.S.-Indonesia Joint Council on Higher Education Partnership, a member of International Association of University Presidents, and the International Women's Forum. She is a member on the Council on Competitiveness and serves as a vice chair of the American Council on Education's (ACE) Commission on Leadership.
In St. Louis, Dr. Stroble serves on the boards of the St. Louis Regional Chamber, Urban League of St. Louis, St. Louis Science Center, United Way of Greater St. Louis, Opera Theatre St. Louis, the Repertory Theatre, Innovate St. Louis, and the Webster Community Arts Foundation. She is a member of the St. Louis Forum.
Dr. Stroble was recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of 2010's most influential businesswomen. She received St. Louis Argus' 2011 Distinguished Citizen Award and was recognized by the St. Louis NAACP in 2012 as an inspiring leader. In May 2013, Dr. Stroble will be the recipient of the Jewish Community Relations Council's Norman A. Stack Community Relations award.
Dr. Stroble earned an A.B. in history and English from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., and two masters of arts degrees, one in history and one in American and English literature, both from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. She received her doctorate in curriculum studies from the University of Virginia. Her career includes academic and administrative appointments at the University of Akron, the University of Louisville, and Northern Arizona University.
January 2013
