Julian Z. Schuster

Julian Z. Schuster became President of Webster University in 2019 after serving as Provost, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2010. During this time, he has led the institution through a period of transformation and development. In the past years, a new general education curriculum has been adopted and implemented, the most diverse and academically qualified freshman classes have been recruited, and retention and graduation rates improved significantly.

Webster’s $55 million capital campaign concluded successfully, and several endowed chairs were established. During this time, the University has completed over $100 million in construction projects, increased the number of full-time faculty and launched more than 15 new academic programs, including several STEM-related offerings.

Webster University, comprising a network of international campuses in Europe, Asia and Africa, has enhanced and expanded its international visibility under Dr. Schuster’s leadership. A new location for Webster-Vienna has been secured, providing space for projected growth in academic programs and student housing needs. Under Dr.

Schuster’s leadership, new international initiatives in Cuba, Georgia, Uzbekistan, China and Italy are being developed.

Dr. Schuster’s efforts to make Webster a national leader in global experiential education resulted in Webster's long-term study abroad programs being ranked in the top 10 among all U.S. master's degree-granting institutions, and first in the same category among Midwestern institutions, according to the Institute of International Education's annual Open Doors Report. Dr. Schuster led the establishment of Webster’s first campus on the African continent in Ghana, opened in 2013-14, as well as a campus in Uzbekistan and additional partnerships in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Webster University now ranks among the top 15 comprehensive universities in the Midwest and boasts nationally ranked programs in a number of majors across fine arts, business, nursing, nurse anesthetist, education, communications, and the liberal arts and sciences.