Michael K. Le Roy, PhD, served as the tenth president of Calvin University from 2012–2022.

Michael K. Le Roy was born in La Mesa, California, and grew up on Bainbridge Island, Washington, near Seattle. Baptized in the Methodist Church, Le Roy was raised as a Presbyterian, and he credits two ministers of his home church with helping him to form his Christian faith. Le Roy attended Whitworth University, where he majored in international studies and peace studies. He married his wife, Andrea, a Taylor University graduate, and together they continued their love of learning: Andrea completed a master’s in psychology from the Vanderbilt University Peabody School of Education in 1992, and Michael earned a PhD in political science at Vanderbilt in 1994.

Michael and Andrea have three adult children: son, Dana, and daughters, Hannah and Astrid. The family enjoys hiking, sailing, cross-country skiing and other outdoor sports. Michael and Andrea also enjoyed their time spent with Calvin’s student body at art exhibitions, engineering open houses, poster sessions, musical and theatrical performances and other events.

A faculty member at heart, Le Roy is passionate about the advancement of excellence in teaching and learning. Le Roy led the university in developing a strategic plan, a campus master plan and an educational framework, all crafted through community input and review. He is frequently asked to speak on the civic role that higher education plays, the future of higher education, and higher education finance.

Whitworth University

  • 2010–2012
    • Executive vice-president, academic affairs
    • Dean of faculty
  • 2005–2010
    • Vice-president, academic affairs
    • Dean of faculty
  • 2003–2005
    • Director, Core 350
  • 2002–2011
    • Director, Central American Study Program
  • 2002–2012
    • Professor or political science

Wheaton College

  • 1999–2002
    • Associate professor, department of politics and international relations
  • 1998–2002
    • Chair, department of politics and international relations
  • 1994–2000
    • Director, Wheaton in Europe program
  • 1994–1999
    • Assistant professor, department of politics and international relations

The College of William and Mary

  • 1993–1994
    • Visiting assistant professor of government and international relations

Goteborgs universitet, Goteborg, Sweden

  • 1992–1993
    • Fellow of research and teaching
    • Fulbright grant
    • American-Scandinavian Foundation