Midland University is excited to announce Dr. Aly Williams as the university’s 17th president. Williams will assume her new role on April 10, 2025. Current Midland President Jody Horner is set to retire from Midland after providing outstanding leadership as president since January 2015. 

Williams serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, and Chief Academic Officer at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. She is an experienced executive with over 25 years of dedicated service in higher education and extensive experience as a faculty member and leader. 

“As I looked at Midland and began to meet people and learn more about the institution, it felt like a place I would belong,” Williams said. “I love the University’s vision, which focuses on crafting experiences that inspire students to learn and to lead. Midland’s desire to be relentlessly relevant is critical now more than ever. But most importantly, I fell in love with the people of Midland. Their commitment and love for the institution are evident. It’s a community I knew I wanted to be a part of.” 

CarterBaldwin Executive Search guided the process of finding a new president while a nine-person search committee representing the board, faculty, student body, and Fremont community assisted in evaluating candidates. 

“The search committee process was thoughtful and exhaustive,” Board Chair Steve Feye said. “After reviewing over 70 candidates, the search committee unanimously recommended Aly’s appointment to the full board. It was clear that Aly has the right mix of demonstrated abilities and personal characteristics to lead Midland University.” 

Williams, with years of experience in the President’s Cabinet at Indiana Wesleyan, looks forward to her next career opportunity. “Every leader dreams of the next step, envisioning new approaches and how they might implement them when given the opportunity. I am excited to engage with all parts of the Midland campus community as we – together – work to impact students’ lives,” she said. “I value relationships and am most excited to continue the culture of kindness, respect and stewardship evident at Midland. I’m looking forward to getting started in April and getting a feel for campus.” 

Prior to her appointment as Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2020, she served as Professor of Exercise Science and Athletic Training at Indiana Wesleyan for 20 years, including 10 years working as an athletic trainer for Indiana Wesleyan Athletics. Williams earned a Psychology degree from Indiana Wesleyan and an MS in Physical Education from Eastern Illinois University. She later earned her PhD in Public Health from Walden University. 

Williams and her husband of 25 years, Adam, have three children (Jacklin, Grant, Luke), a son-in-law (JD) and two grandchildren (Rose and Everly). 

President Horner announced in May of 2024 that she would retire once Midland found a successor. President Horner’s last official day will be April 9, although she will remain in a supportive role through the end of the 2024-25 academic year.