Board of Trustees extends Malone President Gregory J. Miller’s contract through 2029

The announcement was made by Board Chair Shari Hansen ‘99 following the February board meeting, emphasizing the Board’s confidence in Miller’s leadership and vision for the University.

"As a graduate of Malone, and full supporter of Dr. Miller’s work on the Institution’s behalf, I couldn’t be more excited by his willingness to continue leading Malone toward a future of flourishing,” said Hansen. “His unwavering commitment to Christ first, and relentless desire to see Christ made known to our students, is inspiring to our board on the whole. He and his wife Darla have given sacrificially of their time and energy to keep us pointed toward a vibrant future while strengthening our foundation based on historic Christian roots. He is exactly who Malone needs during this season and, as a board, we are committed to praying for him and walking with him every step of the way.”

Miller, who became Malone University’s fourteenth president on July 1, 2022, has significantly shaped the Institution since long before his formal installation on October 14, 2022. He came to Canton in 2000 to teach history at Malone, reaching the rank of professor and taking on increased administrative responsibilities as the director of general education, associate provost, and provost. A two-time recipient of Malone’s Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching, and recipient of Malone’s Distinguished Faculty Award for Scholarship, and Ohio Magazine’s Excellence in Education Award, Miller is recorded as an ordained minister in the Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region (EFC - ER) and frequently serves as a guest speaker and preacher at churches across the region. 

Malone University’s notable achievements since the start of Miller’s presidency include:

Distinctive Christian Education: Malone was included on Education Insider's inaugural list of Top 20 ranked Christian Colleges by meeting criteria including innovation in the classroom, student satisfaction, and market presence. 

Affordable Christian Education: Malone was also ranked the most affordable private university in Ohio based on a study done by money.com. In its 2024 Best Colleges analysis of more than 700 four-year colleges, Money’s ranking of Malone places it sixth among the 24 Ohio colleges and universities included in the study. 

Focus on Mission: In alignment with Malone’s goal to be the hub for Christian education and culture in Northeast Ohio, the Institution entered into a strategic partnership with the Evana Network in the fall of 2022. Since then, other campus initiatives that have provided resources to Christian leaders or community for students include the Faith @ Work Leadership Summit (2024 keynote speaker was clinical psychologist and NYT best-selling author of the Boundaries series, Henry Cloud Ph.D.) and the launch of Big Day at Malone: a one-day music festival (2024 performances included a local worship bands as well as Josiah Queen, Joseph O'Brien, and indie tribe).

Thriving Workplace: During 2023, Malone University received its first recognition as a Great College to Work For by ModernThink in four categories: Supervisor/Dept Chair Effectiveness, Shared Governance, Faculty Experience, and Confidence in Senior Leadership. The results were based on a survey of 194 colleges and universities and only 72 received recognition. In 2024, not only was the University recognized again in the same categories, but two new categories were added (Faculty & Staff Wellbeing and Mission & Pride) as was the Honor Roll distinction – a status granted to only 42 colleges each year who are highlighted most across the recognition categories. These results were based on a survey of 216 institutions and only 75 received recognition.

Growing Enrollment: As Northeast Ohio's only Bible-Based University, Malone has seen continued growth in undergraduate and graduate enrollment each of the past two years. Specifically, the number of students from our partner Christian high schools has more than tripled since 2021. Additionally, enrollment of new students from Stark County has increased by 4.8% since 2021. 

Record-Breaking Fundraising: Malone has benefited from two years of increased giving to the Malone Fund (annual fund), and increased giving in other areas as well.  

New Program Development: New programs include a hybrid B.A. in Business Administration in the trades (welding), worship arts, environmental science, and the launch of the STUNT program.

Glowing Accreditation Renewal: Malone’s Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation was fully reaffirmed and the Institution's next, regular Reaffirmation of Accreditation visit is scheduled for the 2032-33 academic year. No follow-up focus visit or monitoring report is required. Peer reviewers were particularly complimentary of Malone's emphasis on community-wide service, the Pendle Hill initiative, institutional buy-in on strategic planning, and improved work in assessment.

Celebrating the Future of Nursing: Malone's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates successfully passed the newly revised National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) at a rate of 100% on their first attempts in both 2023 and 2024. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the 2023 national average pass rate for the NCLEX was 88.5 percent.

ODHE Support of Academic Initiatives: Malone has received robust financial support from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), for participating in ongoing programs like Choose Ohio First (investing in future STEM professionals), the Great Minds Fellowship (investing in the wellness workforce, e.g. social work and counseling professionals), and Teach CS Grants (investing in the future of computer science education) – in an amount exceeding $3M.

Learn & Earn with Community Partners: Designed to minimize out-of-pocket costs for students while recruiting and retaining new talent for the region’s workforce, Learn & Earn partnerships will grow and enhance workforce development opportunities in Stark County. Partnerships since the program’s founding in May 2023 include the Hall of Fame Village, Fastenal Company, the Hummel Group, Visit Canton, and Jarrett.

“I am more convinced than ever that the world needs Malone graduates who are prepared for Christian service in all corners of the workplace, Church, and community, and my sense of calling to lead Malone during this season is unwavering,” said Miller. “As Northeast Ohio’s only Bible-based university in a region that serves 4.5 million people, we fill a unique need in the higher education space and stand ready to prepare our graduates for a lifetime of human flourishing. We’re also rapidly and strategically growing into a regional hub for Christian education and culture which I believe will have the ability to multiply our kingdom impact for generations to come. It truly is an exciting time in our history, and it’s my joy and honor to serve students alongside my colleagues at Malone.”