MATTHEW ALLEN DERR
Curriculum Vitae
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Office of the President
Sterling College
Craftsbury Common, Vermont 05827
(802) 586-7711
mderr@sterlingcollege.edu
EDUCATION:
B.A., Antioch College, June 1989
M.S.W., University of Michigan, August 2012
Advanced studies, George Heyman Center for Philanthropy, New York University
PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
President, Sterling College, 2012 to present
Faculty in Community Organizing, Sterling College, 2012 to present
Primary duties include: As chief executive officer, work with the Board of Trustees to set the strategic vision for the college,
communicate the vision to all internal and external constituencies, and secure needed resources to accomplish these goals. As
administrative head of the college, has general authority over and supervises the operations of all departments of the college, all
members of the faculty, all administrative officers and other employees, and all students. Periodically reports to the Board of Trustees
on the work, operations, and state of the college, and makes such recommendations considered necessary.
Accomplishments include:
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Led a community-based process to endorse and implement an ambitious five-year strategic plan.
Launched the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in institutional history, “Nourish the Roots: The Campaign for
Sterling.” Giving has increased from $310,000 in 2011 to over $3,000,000 in 2015, an increase of 1000%.
Led a strategic recruitment effort that has resulted in a 35 percent increase in student enrollment.
Added a new major in Sustainable Food Systems.
Established the Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, including the Alfond Draft Horse Barn and
other new agricultural facilities construction.
Launched a new continuing education program, including an Artisan Cheese Institute, in partnership with the Cellars at
Jasper Hill.
Expanded the campus to include two more dormitories, a renovated Admission office, a new classroom and office space,
additional agricultural buildings, as well as faculty and staff housing.
Increased full-time teaching faculty ranks by 67 percent and maintained an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Established key curricular partnerships with other colleges and universities, including New York University and
Yestermorrow Design/Build School.
Expanded the national reputation of the College through the launch of a sophisticated public relations plan.
Led major investments in information technology infrastructure and campus facilities improvements.
Visiting Fellow, Great Lakes Colleges Association, January 2011 – August 2012
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Awarded fellowship in recognition of accomplishments and service to liberal arts colleges.
Supported new leadership at Antioch College and consulted with other member colleges as requested.
Acted as GLCA liaison to chief enrollment officers and coordinated collaborative global outreach.
Developed consortia research on global perspectives on the liberal arts and sciences.
Developed global consortia programming and consulted and advised on behalf of GLCA in China and India.
Fundraising consultation with members of the GLCA – Global Liberal Arts Alliance Initiative.
Reviewed New Directions Initiative proposals from faculty in support of Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant.
Interim President/Chief Transition Officer, Antioch College, September 2009 – January 2011
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Developed for Antioch College a new concept and program, with emphasis on food, water, energy, health, and governance
that earned endorsement by the Great Lakes Colleges Association.
Developed new business model for the College in transition and budget plan leading to enrollment in 2011.
Worked with legal counsel to transfer $23 million endowment and donor relations related to this transfer and managed funds
and strategy regarding investments.
Designed strategy and led fundraising effort raising more than $15 million toward a five year $50 million comprehensive
annual and capital campaign.
Initiated the strategy for seeking accreditation with Higher Learning Commission and the degree granting authorities of the
Ohio Board of Regents.
Established and appointed committees to bring expertise to a variety of planning and strategic areas.
Hired over forty employees in three months including advancement, financial, and academic leadership.
Negotiated partnership with a peer liberal arts college for credit arrangement for new Antioch curriculum.
Led the planning for the restoration of the academic campus and facilities in Glen Helen, a 1,100-acre nature preserve.
Established academic symposia and cultural programming on campus.
Worked closely with the community of Yellow Springs, Ohio to develop plans for a performing arts and wellness center on
campus to serve both the College and the local community.
Developed strategic plans and process to revive and expand use of 300,000-volume library.
Coordinated continued negotiation with Antioch University on remaining issues.
Represented the College to important groups such as the media, internationally recognized foundations, the Great Lakes
Colleges Association, and the American Association of University Professors.
Initiated process for sale of share in local private corporation that led to 50% increase in endowment in 2012.
Consultant to the Board, Antioch College Alumni Board & Continuation Corporation, September 2008 - September 2009
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Named co-chair of taskforce in complex and contentious negotiation to recreate an independent Antioch College through the
transfer of assets valued at approximately $70 million from Antioch University.
On behalf of the Corporation, settled terms for the transfer of Antioch College assets.
Recruited 15-member board of trustees to serve as board “in waiting.”
Hosted and chaired meetings with stakeholders around the country in support of an independent College.
Established and approved bylaws of the College and developed board governance structure.
Designed public relations strategy and implemented outreach to and interviews with the media.
Led effort and negotiation to establish a $6.2 million loan in support of the independence of the College.
Member of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Board
Assisted in early negotiations to keep the College operating temporarily as a unit of Antioch University.
Acted as spokesperson to the media.
Assisted with the coordination of fundraising and communications efforts of Alumni Association.
Advised major donors and early leadership on strategy and planning.
Identified consultants to assist in financial planning and creation of early proposals to Antioch University.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement, The Boston Conservatory, December 2007 - September 2008
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Served as chief fundraising officer of the oldest conservatory in the United States.
Revived and reorganized comprehensive campaign effort to raise $15 million.
Solicited the largest gifts and grants in the Convervatory’s history.
Associate Head of School/Acting Head of School, Walnut Hill School, July 2003 - January 2008
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Served as chief operational officer for an arts institution with over 100 employees, 800 students, and a $13 million
operational budget and at the request of the Board of Trustees served as chief executive officer during the sabbatical of the
Head of School from December 2006-July 2007.
Acted as the administrative chair to numerous governing committees and regularly prepared and presented detailed financial
and programmatic reports to the Board of Trustees and advisory boards.
Sustained close working relationship with retiring chief executive officer and developed transitional efforts for institutional
advancement and fundraising celebrating her 30-year tenure.
Negotiated Board of Trustee approval of a fundraising feasibility study for $12 million campaign and solicited donors for
lead campaign gifts.
Led Board approval of reorganization and increased staffing of the development office to integrate leadership annual giving
and planned giving efforts.
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Lead institutional strategic planning and co-chaired development of Long-Range Plan in 2006.
Formulated and led strategies to increase institutional visibility by establishing opportunities for members of the leadership to
participate in national and international symposia and speaking engagements.
Secured foundation commitment for a new curriculum in art history and museum studies.
Solicited and secured funding for visiting distinguished artist program and led arrangements for talent.
Instituted the development of coordinated communication efforts including marketing and media relations.
Developed design and content for electronic and paper-based marketing materials, including bi-annual magazine and a
successful and sophisticated online presence.
Founded and developed programming for nine summer institutes, including international travel components.
Designed program to negotiate partnerships and increase institutional visibility in 20 countries.
Spoke publicly to groups as large as 1000 at fundraising galas and programs in venues such as Lincoln Center and the Central
Academy of Fine Arts-Beijing.
Developed and led institutional satisfaction studies among principal institutional giving communities and implemented
corresponding changes in institutional offerings.
Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Indiana University School of Music, July 2002 - July 2003
Dean for Admission and Placement, Walnut Hill School, July 1996 - July 2002
SELECTED RECENT AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
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Region V Chief Executive of the Year Award, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, 2011
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Commendation for work on behalf of Antioch College, Great Lakes Colleges Association, 2009
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Naming of new faculty residence, “Derr House,” Walnut Hill School, 2007
SELECTED CONSULTANT & VOLUNTEER WORK
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Mitraniketan Community-Vellanad, India 2011 – 2012
o Invited to assist with fundraising strategy
Forman Christian College-Lahore, Pakistan 2011 – 2012
o Invited to assist with fundraising strategy
Society of Saint John the Evangelist Monastery 2008 – 2011
o Campaign Committee Service
Antioch College Alumni Association 2007 - 2008
o Alumni Board Executive Committee Member and Volunteer
Bard College & Conservatory 2007
o Advised on enrollment strategy
Roosevelt University & Chicago College of Performing Arts 2004
o Advised on enrollment strategy
Idyllwild Arts Academy 2003
o Advised on enrollment strategy & executive search
PUBLICATIONS
 Endorsement for Civil Rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People Among Heterosexual College Students:
Informing Just Policy Advocacy. (Quantitative study submitted for publication consideration, January 2012, third author).