Ridgewater President Retiring

WILLMAR and HUTCHINSON, MN – Dr. Craig Johnson, President of Ridgewater College, will retire May 19, 2026, culminating eight years of dedicated service to the institution.

Since assuming the presidency in 2018, Dr. Johnson has been a transformative leader, steering the college through a period of significant growth and change. His tenure has been marked by a commitment to forging new partnerships with the Hutchinson and Willmar communities, expanding academic offerings, growing enrollment and a dedication to cultivating a culture of belonging.

In a statement to the campus community, Dr. Johnson reflected on his time at Ridgewater. “I believe passionately in Ridgewater’s mission, and I value my relationships within the college and the Minnesota State community. Ridgewater is well positioned for a leadership transition. We’ve made great progress together and Ridgewater is in a healthy place. This is a good time for me to retire. I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife, two sons and their families.”  Johnson went on to state that “Ridgewater is a great place for people to work and for students to learn. We truly live our motto of creating opportunities and changing lives.”

Minnesota State Chancellor, Scott Olson, praised Dr. Johnson’s leadership in a letter to the campus community. “There was no one happier than me when Dr. Johnson came back to lead Ridgewater. Craig has helped the region prosper and helped Ridgewater College become its best self. The whole state will miss his kind and principled leadership.”

A national search will begin immediately utilizing ACCH Search, a leader in the industry focused on two-year community and technical colleges. A timeline for the search will be released in the coming weeks.