Dr. Schroeder plans to step down as President in summer 2021, a role he’s held since 2007.
New Jersey’s only fully accredited evangelical four-year college—recently announced that Dr. David Schroeder, Ed.D, will be stepping away from his role as College President and assuming the new mantle of Chancellor of Pillar College. He will continue serving as President until August 31, 2021 or until the next Pillar College President can take office. As Chancellor, Dr. Schroeder will focus on external activities, especially in the realm of development.
Addressing the future, Dr. Schroeder said, “Pillar College is blessed to have an outstanding Board of Trustees who will choose a great leader for Pillar’s great future. I am eager to work with them and my successor to continue this work for the glory of God.”
Dr. Schroeder has been the President of Pillar College since 2007. Prior to that, he served as President of Nyack College for 12 years. After 26 years of service as a College President, he is ready for a reduced and less time-consuming role in order to focus more of his attention on developing his discipleship ministry through MasterWorks, Inc. as well as continuing his work with pastors and local churches.
Where Education and Inspiration Meet
During his successful tenure as Pillar College President, Dr. Schroeder ushered in a period of unprecedented growth for the College. His vision of “Planting in the Garden State” took Pillar College from a small enrollment of 125 students to more than 700 students studying at 5 New Jersey campuses: the main campus in Newark, plus satellite schools in Paterson, Plainfield, Jersey City, and Somerset.
Other highlights of Dr. Schroeder’s tenure include:
- Initiating LEAD, Pillar College’s adult accelerated degree completion program.
- Gaining Middle States accreditation for the College in 2010, raising Pillar College’s academic standing and national profile.
- Overseeing expansion of undergraduate Degree Programs to include Psychology and Counseling, Organizational Leadership, Elementary Education, Business Administration and Management, Biblical Studies, and graduate degree programs including Masters of Counseling and Masters of Ministry Leadership.
- “Windmills of Change”—Dr. Schroeder’s detailed roadmap for the future of Pillar College—includes many more career-friendly majors, new delivery methods, new relational networks, and new funding potential.
- Through “Windmills of Change”, Pillar will provide more students with profitable careers, blessing communities, and businesses with Christ-empowered employees.
One of Dr. Schroeder’s most enduring legacies was the spiritual leadership he provided for the College at one of its darkest moments, in 2011 following Hurricane Irene. The resulting flood damage made the college—then known as Somerset Christian College—uninhabitable. Thanks to the strategic vision and leadership of Dr. Schroeder, the College started anew. Renaming itself as Pillar College, the school moved its headquarters to Newark and began a period of major growth.
Dr. Schroeder leaves his tenure at Pillar College with the school stronger than ever.
