Dr. Harpool Officially Appointed As NC President
The Newberry College Board of Trustees voted unanimously Jan. 30 to extend Dr. David Harpool’s appointment as president through Dec. 31, 2028, and to formally change his title from transitional president to president.
Dr. Harpool first joined Newberry College as acting president in February 2025 and was named transitional president in April 2025.
Since assuming leadership, Dr. Harpool has worked closely with the executive team and Board of Trustees to strengthen the College’s financial standing while achieving record enrollment growth. During this period, Newberry College has continued to compete on a national level in athletics, speech and debate, marching band, and multiple academic areas.
“Dr. Harpool’s steady leadership has helped position Newberry College for long-term success,” said Dr. Lenna Young, chair of the board of trustees. “We are confident in his vision and grateful for his commitment to our students and college community.”
Dr. Harpool brings 35 years of experience in higher education, having served as a faculty member, department chair, dean, vice president, provost, president and trustee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri State University, a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri–Columbia School of Law and a Ph.D. with distinction in higher education leadership from Saint Louis University. Prior to joining Newberry College, he served for a decade as provost and then president of Northcentral University and previously as chief operating officer of academics for Kaplan Education.
The Newberry College Board of Trustees voted unanimously Jan. 30 to extend Dr. David Harpool’s appointment as president through Dec. 31, 2028, and to formally change his title from transitional president to president.
Dr. Harpool first joined Newberry College as acting president in February 2025 and was named transitional president in April 2025.
Since assuming leadership, Dr. Harpool has worked closely with the executive team and Board of Trustees to strengthen the College’s financial standing while achieving record enrollment growth. During this period, Newberry College has continued to compete on a national level in athletics, speech and debate, marching band, and multiple academic areas.
“Dr. Harpool’s steady leadership has helped position Newberry College for long-term success,” said Dr. Lenna Young, chair of the board of trustees. “We are confident in his vision and grateful for his commitment to our students and college community.”
Dr. Harpool brings 35 years of experience in higher education, having served as a faculty member, department chair, dean, vice president, provost, president and trustee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri State University, a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri–Columbia School of Law and a Ph.D. with distinction in higher education leadership from Saint Louis University. Prior to joining Newberry College, he served for a decade as provost and then president of Northcentral University and previously as chief operating officer of academics for Kaplan Education.
