The Board of Directors of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges & Universities (APCU) has named Jeffrey E. Arnold to be its new executive director effective April 1, 2015. He will succeed Gary Luhr, who is retiring after serving as executive director since October 2002. 

Arnold most recently served as vice president for business strategy with RuffaloCODY, a provider of technology-enabled fundraising and enrollment management services and software based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The company serves more than 1,500 not-for-profit organizations and institutions of higher education throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. 

“Jeff brings a wealth of experience working in the higher education field in important strategic capacities, and the board of APCU is excited about the skill sets he will bring to the role as we re-envision the Association in response to the many challenges our institutions face,” says Dr. Richard H. Dorman, president of Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania and current chair of APCU. 

In a career spanning more than 30 years in higher education, Arnold has worked for two other higher- education-focused technology companies and for The College Board as executive director for higher education marketing. Before that, he was director of enrollment services and acting director of university relations at Pennsylvania State University, assistant director of admission and financial aid at the University of Pittsburgh and assistant director of admission at Duquesne University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University, a graduate certificate in counselor education from Duquesne, and a Master’s of Education in adult and continuing education from Pennsylvania State University. 

“I’m honored to serve as executive director of APCU at this critical juncture in its history,” Arnold says. “I look forward to addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie before us and to building on the great work that’s been done by my predecessor and those presidents who have served as board members.” 

An ordained ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Arnold is a member of Johns Creek Presbyterian Church in Johns Creek, Georgia. 

“The Presbyterian tradition is grounded in discovery and can serve as a progressive force that drives spiritual and intellectual discourse, a commitment to inclusiveness, and a genuine love for serving others,” says Arnold. “It offers a common denominator that we will build on to provide value to our diverse group of member institutions.” 

The Association of Presbyterian Colleges & Universities—an independent, not-for-profit organization in covenant relationship with the Presbyterian Mission Agency—works to strengthen and promote colleges and universities related to the PC(USA) and to advocate the mission of higher education in the Reformed tradition.