Schrader, Cheryl B. (Cheryl Burnett), 1962-

Biography

Cheryl B. Schrader began her tenure as the 7th president of Wright State University on July 1, 2017, becoming the first woman to lead the university in its history. She came to Wright State from Missouri University of Science and Technology, where she served as chancellor beginning in 2012.

During her tenure, President Schrader emphasized financial sustainability, administrative transparency, and campus conversation as she helped guide Wright State through a financial crisis and a number of significant challenges faced by the university. She also helped foster a campus atmosphere aimed at tackling broader domestic and global issues that provide opportunities for graduates to excel in fields that will define the future.

Before serving at Missouri S&T, Schrader served as associate vice president for strategic research initiatives at Boise State University and dean of the College of Engineering at Boise State. She also held numerous administrative positions at The University of Texas at San Antonio, including associate dean for graduate studies and research for the College of Engineering and the College of Sciences, university graduate recruitment coordinator and associate director of the Center for Advanced Propulsion Studies.

In addition, she interned at the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company in Huntington Beach, California. She is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring from the White House.

Schrader grew up in Illinois and received her bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Valparaiso University and her master's and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.