Mid-Missouri’s Columbia College has named its 19th president.
Toby J. Arquette will be stepping into the position March 1st, 2026. He told Missourinet that his approach is radical transparency.
Columbia College President Dr. Toby J. Arquette. Photo courtesy of Columbia College
“My own doctoral training is in communication, and I believe in the power of story and the power of what we say matters,” said Arquette. “So, for me, it’s always been about being as open and honest about what you can and where you can with the goal of building trusts that ultimately allows you to do something better in service of our students.”
Arquette said he is up for the challenges that higher education faces like affordability.
“While it’s true that we want to always be conscious of price and affordability and make sure that college is accessible, we also want to focus on the value that’s delivered to that degree,” said Arquette. “And that means that we not only make college accessible by making it affordable, but we also guarantee the outcomes of the students who participate in our programs such that they get the sorts of careers and professional and personal experience that they want to launch lives of fulfillment.”
Arquette told Missourinet about how he sees the role of technology playing in the future of Columbia College.
“I see there’s some seismic changes coming,” said Arquette. “AI is one of them, so that graduates come out of Columbia College not only with the competencies to use those technologies, but the ability to fly in a space where, frankly, the workplace is constantly changing and they need the ability to reimagine themselves, to be able to use those technologies in a way. But frankly, we may not even know what they look like three to four years from now.”
Arquette joins Columbia College from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, where he serves as Vice President for Strategic Growth, Marketing and Digital Transformation.
He will succeed Dr. David Russell, who is retiring after 50 years of public service in the military and higher education.
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