The search for Columbia College’s nineteenth president ended on Monday with the announcement that Dr. Toby J. Arquette has been selected for the position. His first day leading the college will be March 1, 2026.
Arquette, who joins Columbia College from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, will succeed Dr. David Russell, who is retiring after fifty years of public service in the military and higher education.
The college’s Board of Trustees announced Arquette’s hiring in a news release.
“Dr. Arquette brings an exciting, bold vision for the future of Columbia College,” active board chair Anita Abbott Timmons said in the news release. “Throughout this process, I have been thoroughly impressed by his insights, leadership capabilities, and dedication to helping our college thrive. I believe he is an aspirational leader who will build upon the foundation laid by President Russell to guide the institution into its strong next chapter.”
Arquette was selected from a field of more than 100 applicants vying to lead Columbia College, which celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2026. A search committee composed of faculty, staff, students, and trustees interviewed a field of nine candidates in November, and four finalists visited the main campus the first week of December for further conversations.
Arquette has been serving as vice president for strategic growth, marketing and digital transformation at St. Ambrose. His responsibilities have included leading initiatives to increase revenue, expand visibility, and enhance student experience. According to the news release, he spearheaded the development of AI innovation, modernization of enterprise systems, and the integration of data-driven technologies to support academic, operational, and strategic growth goals.
Arquette’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wayne State University, a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Communication from Northwestern University.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to be entrusted with the privilege of serving Columbia College at such a meaningful moment in its history,” Arquette said in the news release. “I am humbled by the trust the Board of Trustees has placed in me, and I look forward to listening, learning and working alongside everyone as we write the next chapter together.”
“I am deeply grateful to the Search Committee for their tireless dedication and thoughtful deliberation throughout this rigorous and collaborative process,” said Dr. Michael Kateman, trustee and chair of the presidential search committee, thanks the committee for its “tireless dedication and thoughtful deliberation” throughout the process.
Before St. Ambrose, Arquette worked for fifteen years at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois, including as a faculty leader, chair of the Department of Communication, director of the university honors program, and dean of both the Dunham School of Business and Public Policy and the College of Liberal Arts and Business.
“Dr. Arquette is a highly experienced academic leader whose background transitions well to Columbia College,” said Associate Professor Gina Singleton, who served on the presidential search committee. “He is articulate and thoughtful, demonstrating strong communication skills that reflect his commitment to what he calls ‘radical transparency.”
