Westminster College has appointed Dr. Jamie Frueh as the College’s new vice president for academic affairs (VPAA) and dean of the College, effective Aug. 1. 

Frueh, a distinguished academic leader and scholar, will also join the faculty as a professor of political science. He brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, most recently serving as associate provost and professor of global politics at Bridgewater College in Virginia. 

“We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Frueh to Westminster College in August. Along with a deep commitment to student learning and academic growth, Dr. Frueh brings strong experience in academic leadership and scholarly achievement on the local campus and through national associations to our campus,” said Westminster College President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson.

As VPAA, Frueh will provide leadership for the faculty, oversee the curriculum and academic departments and guide all aspects of academic administration. As the College’s chief academic officer and member of the president’s Leadership Team, Frueh will serve as a strong advocate for the faculty and the academic program, maintaining close communication with the president and senior administrators.

“I am lucky to be joining a faculty, staff and college leadership so committed to serving Westminster students and I am looking forward to exploring how I can make the team even more successful,” Frueh said.

Since 2015, Frueh has led a wide range of academic and co-curricular programs at Bridgewater. He has managed multiple offices and initiatives, overseen endowed institutes with combined assets exceeding $2.5 million and played a central role in institutional accreditation, strategic planning and curricular reform.

In addition to his administrative roles, Frueh has served on the Bridgewater faculty since 2002, most recently as the W. Harold Row Professor of International Studies. He has taught courses in global politics, comparative politics, international law, peace and conflict studies and world history, often integrating experiential learning through travel-based seminars.

Frueh is an active scholar, including serving as a book series co-editor and publishing articles, chapters and edited volumes on political science and international relations pedagogy. In 2024, he was named a Distinguished Scholar by his colleagues at the International Studies Association.

Frueh serves on the boards of the American Conference of Academic Deans and the American Council on Education Council of Fellows, where he is the chair of the Professional Development Committee. 

Frueh earned his Ph.D. in international relations from American University’s School of International Service, with concentrations in international relations theory, comparative political theory and peace and conflict resolution. He holds a B.S.F.S. in international relations, organization and law from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

Frueh succeeds Dr. Jamie McMinn, who concluded his tenure as VPAA and dean following the 2024-25 academic year. McMinn, who joined the Westminster faculty in 2003, will return to full-time teaching as professor of psychology.

For more information, please contact Betsy Hildebrand, director of communication, at hildebef@westminster.edu.

More Stories