John C. Volin
John C. Volin, PhD
The Gustavus Adolphus College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce John C. Volin, PhD was inaugurated as the eighteenth President of the College on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Following a postdoctoral fellowship in plant physiological ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Volin accepted a faculty position at Florida Atlantic University, where he rose to the rank of full professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and served as the director of the Environmental Sciences graduate program. Volin joined the University of Connecticut in 2007 to head the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, advancing to serve as Vice Provost of Academic Affairs. From 2020–2025, Volin served as the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Maine, where his portfolio included oversight of more than 1,000 faculty and staff and a budget of over $250 million. Volin is recognized as a national leader in using evidence-based practices to support holistic student wellbeing. He serves on the Executive Committee of the LearningWell Coalition and is a co-founder and senior advisor of LearningWell magazine.
Born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Volin holds a BS in botany and biology and an MS in agronomy from South Dakota State University, and a PhD in forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Volin and his wife, Valeria, have five children and six grandchildren.
Celebrating New Leadership
It was a spectacular day when the Board of Trustees and broader Gustavus Adolphus College community attended, supported, and enjoyed a symposium, community lunch, and official inauguration ceremony on April 17, 2026 to honor and welcome President John C. Volin, PhD as the eighteenth president of the College.
Speakers, colleagues, and friends from around the country were in attendance to share wisdom and insights at the symposium.
A jazztet performed during the community lunch, and attendees of the symposium enjoyed a dance performance by Gustavus students.
Tree Dedication
On Arbor Day, April 24, 2026 a tree was dedicated in the Gustavus Arboretum at the President's Oak Grove to celebrate the lasting impact of President Volin’s leadership on our campus. Native Minnesota wildflower seeds were also planted around the tree as a symbol of community support.
