In July 2026, Cheri Betz ’98/’16 Ed.D. returned to Olivet to officially begin her new role as Executive Vice President (EVP). In this role, she oversees operational activities including human resources, facilities management, information technology and finance, plus partnership development and Cheri assists with efforts related to Graduate and Continuing Studies (GCS).
University president, Gregg Chenoweth ’90, Ph.D. said the following about Dr. Betz and the position: “The EVP role is strategic for Olivet because of Cheri’s broad professional experiences, her view point as a former president, and in particular her career focus on non-traditional students, which is an investment domain for us. Perhaps more important is to know Cheri as a person. You can learn a lot when asking another to name their ‘deepest’ professional joy. Hers is prisoner education — equipping the repentant for a new lease on life! I love that about her.”
The majority of Dr. Betz’s career has been serving at Siena Heights University, where she embraced a variety of roles including the dean for the College of Graduate & Professional Studies (GPS) academics, operations, and enrollment, VP of Administration and Innovation, Acting VP for Enrollment, EVP and most recently, the University President — specifically hired to help guide the university through its final year which will conclude at the end of 2026. All the while, she’s stayed closely connected to Olivet completing the Ed.D. program and serving as a member of the Olivet Board of Trustees for nearly 10 years.
This opportunity to come back “home” to the University to serve in this new position is one that she is embracing wholeheartedly.
“I feel at peace, at home,” she said of starting the role. “People have been extremely helpful. The care and tenderness people have for one another here — that is genuine. Even as a student, I didn’t feel like I was a student ID number, I was a person, and I want to help ensure that continues on. It’s an admirable thing to be part of an institution that understands that our work is missional work.”
Dr. Betz graduated from Olivet with a degree in communication. She initially considered studying education, but found that the field of communication presented an exciting range of career opportunities. After graduation, she married Steve Betz ’96, and began her career in sales and advertising. However, it wasn’t long before she felt a nudge to shift her career to higher education. She took a position at Siena Heights with the recruiting team and soon felt prompted to complete a master’s degree at the university. The purpose wasn’t clear, but the call was.
“I felt God saying, ‘I need you to do this because you need to be prepared for the things I have for you,’” she reflected. “After completing my undergraduate degree, I did not anticipate pursuing a graduate degree. But going on for an advanced degree helped open the doors that the Lord was preparing for me to walk through.”
As work opportunities continued to increase, she decided to extend her academic foundation, and chose to enroll at Olivet in the Ed.D. program with a particular research interest in the student satisfaction of non-traditional students. Shortly after completing the degree, doors for advancement continued to open and Dr. Betz accepted administrative roles at Siena Heights. The Lord continued to multiply her efforts.
During her tenure as acting VP for Enrollment, the team recruited the largest freshman class in the school’s history and increased student retention. As dean of GPS, Dr. Betz led more than 110 faculty and adjuncts in nine off-campus locations and launched certificates, micro-credential programs and an academic pathway for inmates in two state prisons to complete a degree.
“There have been a lot of professional opportunities I’ve taken on that I didn’t ever foresee,” she reflected on her work. “Just because you have the Dr. in front of your name, doesn’t mean that you stop learning. The doctoral program provided me tools and confidence to tackle many different challenges — there’s no playbook on how to close an institution. All the while, I’ve had peace knowing that as new challenges and opportunities arise, I am equipped and supported.”
One of the biggest career challenges for Dr. Betz has been gracefully guiding the closure of Siena Heights — a bittersweet undertaking for someone who has worked there since 2002. A silver lining is knowing that some former students transferred to Olivet to complete their degree.
“The team at Olivet deeply respected the dignity of every student during the transfer process,” she said gratefully. “That speaks to the ethos of Olivet. You can get an education anywhere, but when you have an institution that is mindful of what happens to a student not just while they’re on campus, but after they leave; that’s a differentiator.”
As she closes the door at Siena Heights, Dr. Betz has been looking forward to continuing her work in higher education with exciting new opportunities at Olivet.
“As the past couple of months have unfolded, I’ve been able to consider what some of the opportunities that Olivet has right now,” she said of the transition. “This is a unique time for me to bring my skill set and work experiences to partner with a university that sees its students with a missional lens. I’m excited to help shape the future of Olivet’s GCS recruitment, support the PAVER priorities and develop more partnership components for the University.
Betz also expressed excitement about being able to attend chapel, student events, and support the campus community.
The enduring emphasis Olivet places on providing excellent academic preparation in a Christian environment is something that Dr. Betz appreciates most about her alma mater.
“You don’t get to places on your own,” she said. “Whether you’re a student or a career professional, don’t discount the community the Lord has placed you in. I believe the Lord puts us in each other’s lives for a reason — it’s an honor to breathe into people and help them see what they’re capable of. Others have done that for me as an answer to prayer, and I feel a deep responsibility to give back. There are boundless opportunities for people to grow, and sometimes it just takes someone else saying the right thing at the right time. I don’t take that calling lightly; I believe it’s part of why He put me here.”
For more information about the University, visit Olivet.edu.
