Meet the President

Dr. Matthew Whelan became the ninth president of Caldwell University on July 1, 2020. He is the first male lay president in Caldwell’s history.

Prior to joining Caldwell University, Dr. Whelan served as Vice President for University Enrollment Strategy and Relationship Development at Stony Brook University holding key leadership roles in undergraduate and graduate admissions, financial aid, registrar, enrollment management, student services, fundraising, facilities and strategic planning for several campuses. He previously held the position of Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Stony Brook.

President Whelan has extensive experience leading administrative and faculty teams at Catholic and public higher education institutions, including St. John’s University, Hofstra University, William Paterson University and Mercyhurst University.

He has held a number of positions on national higher education boards and associations, presented nationally and internationally on issues impacting higher education, coached a women’s soccer team to a NCAA Division II Final Four appearance, and taught graduate students in higher education administration.

President Whelan holds a master’s degree from William Paterson University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Dowling College in Shirley, New York.

Born and raised in Denville, New Jersey, in a family of eight children, Dr. Whelan attended St. Mary’s School and Morris Catholic High School in Denville and Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Dr. Whelan and his wife, Kathy are excited to be back in the Caldwell area, having lived in the borough when they were first married. They have three daughters: Eileen, Mary Kate, and Sarah, and a five-year-old border collie mix, Lucy.