Q&A with EVP of Strategy and Administration, D’Andre Wilson

Meet our newest Executive Vice President of Strategy and Administration, D’Andre Wilson, a dedicated educational leader with a career spanning admissions, enrollment, and student success initiatives.

‍

What first drew you to Minerva, and which parts of its mission felt most aligned with your own values?
Minerva first caught my attention 3 years ago because of its bold commitment to reimagining higher education. I was intrigued by a LinkedIn post that highlighted a Minerva student's journey. But what sealed it for me was the alignment with my own values as an educational leader: equity, access, and transformative learning. I’ve spent my career designing and scaling programs that provide life-changing opportunities for students, particularly first-generation, underrepresented, and adult learners. Minerva’s model isn’t just innovative; it’s rooted in a deep belief that education should prepare students not just to succeed in the world, but to change it. I am so grateful to be a part of this great university and mission. 

‍

How do your past experiences in admissions, enrollment, and student affairs shape your vision for Minerva?
I’ve had the opportunity to lead national teams responsible for bringing thousands of learners into educational spaces, from large-scale enrollment operations to deeply personal student success initiatives. That background keeps me grounded in the “why” behind every strategy: we’re here to serve students. At Minerva, I’m especially focused on ensuring that our operational systems, strategies, financial models, and technology are designed with that learner-centered ethos in mind. From the moment a student first hears about us to the day they graduate, every touchpoint should reflect our commitment to access, excellence, and community.

‍

What about starting as Minerva’s Executive Vice President of Strategy and Administration are you most excited about?
There’s so much I’m excited about—working alongside brilliant faculty and staff, expanding our education portfolio, and deepening Minerva’s presence in San Francisco and around the world. But what excites me most is the opportunity to align strategy with impact. Whether it’s stewarding our real estate decisions, supporting global operations, or ensuring long-term financial sustainability, this role allows me to help further build on the foundation that enables Minerva’s mission to thrive for generations to come.

‍

If you had to sum up your leadership style in just three words, what would they be?

‍Servant. Strategic. Accountable.

‍

If you could design and teach a class at Minerva, what would it focus on, and why would it matter to students today?
I’d love to co-teach a course on Organizational Strategy and Social Impact. It would explore how institutions (from schools to startups) can build systems that drive mission-driven outcomes. We’d analyze case studies, examine cross-sector models, and challenge students to apply systems thinking to the problems they care most about. In today’s world, students need not only skills but frameworks for building sustainable change.

‍

What’s something on your bucket list that you’re still hoping to check off?
Professionally, completing my doctoral studies has been a long-standing goal. I'm passionate about lifelong learning, and I want to contribute to the field in a meaningful way through research and scholarship.

Personally, I’ve always dreamed of visiting several countries across Africa. There’s so much history, culture, and innovation on the continent that I want to experience firsthand—both to learn and to connect more deeply with a part of the world that has shaped so much of the global story.

‍

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
“Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. It captures my approach to life: grounded in optimism, gratitude, and showing up fully - no matter what’s happening around you.

‍

Is there a book or movie that has significantly shaped the way you lead?
The book “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek really reinforced how I think about leadership: it’s about creating safe environments where people can do their best work. I’ve always believed that culture drives outcomes, and that empathy and accountability can go hand in hand.

‍

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in your career?
Don’t rush the process. Every role, every challenge, every stretch assignment, every interaction is shaping your leadership toolkit. 

‍

What message would you most want Minerva families and students to hear as you step into this role?
To our students and families: You’ve chosen a university that doesn’t just educate, it empowers. As EVP of Strategy and Administration, I’m committed to ensuring that our infrastructure, systems, and strategies reflect the same level of excellence and intention that our academic model does. Minerva is unlike any other institution because it was built to be. And I’m honored to help steward that vision into its next chapter.