Wesleyan College Board of Trustees Renews President Meaghan Blight for Four More Years

Renewal affirms strong campus-wide confidence in Blight’s leadership amid historic enrollment growth, record-setting fundraising momentum, and Wesleyan’s next era of strategic expansion

MACON, GA — The Wesleyan College Board of Trustees has renewed President Meaghan Blight’s contract for four more years, affirming its confidence in her leadership at a pivotal moment for the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees for women.

     The renewal follows a comprehensive 360-degree review process that included input from students, faculty, staff, senior leadership, donors and community stakeholders. The result was a unanimous consensus in support of Blight’s continued leadership in advancing Wesleyan’s mission, expanding access to a transformative education, and strengthening the College’s future as a national model for women’s education and leadership.

     “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am thrilled to announce the renewal of President Meaghan Blight’s contract for four more years,” said Deborah Moses, Chair of the Wesleyan College Board of Trustees. “This decision reflects not only our deep confidence in President Blight’s leadership, but also the overwhelming support expressed through a thoughtful and comprehensive review process. Throughout the review process, all respondents spoke clearly: Wesleyan is moving forward with clear purpose and historic momentum.”

     Since becoming president in 2022, Blight has led Wesleyan through a period of renewed growth and strategic focus. Under her leadership, the College publicly launched SHE WILL: The $61 Million Campaign for Wesleyan College, the most ambitious fundraising initiative in the institution’s nearly 200-year history. The campaign is designed to expand access, accelerate equality, and prepare the next generation of women to lead. More than $45 million has been raised to date, with major investments supporting student access, academic excellence, campus life, athletics, and the long-term future of women’s education.  

     The College is also experiencing historic enrollment momentum. Enrollment deposits for the Fall 2026 first-year class have increased by 100% year over year and currently exceeds the final first-year enrollment recorded in every year since 2011. This growth comes while Wesleyan continues to strengthen academic quality, including a higher mean GPA among incoming students.

     “The Board sees this renewal as an affirmation of steady, visionary leadership at a moment when Wesleyan is writing one of the most important chapters in its modern history,” Moses said. “President Blight has brought clarity, discipline, and vision to Wesleyan’s work. She has strengthened confidence among our donors, deepened Wesleyan’s connection to the Macon community, expanded the College’s visibility across Georgia and beyond, and kept students at the center of every decision. With four more years of her leadership, Wesleyan is well positioned to continue this exciting and historic progress.”

     Blight’s renewed term will also support the College’s continued strategic expansion in athletics and student life. Wesleyan is transitioning from NCAA Division III to the NAIA, a move designed to enhance the student-athlete experience while creating new opportunities for women to compete, lead, build confidence, and access a Wesleyan education through athletics. Wesleyan has expanded from five to eight varsity teams including adding Club Ice Hockey, making Wesleyan the first college in Middle Georgia to roster a women’s hockey team.

     As part of the SHE WILL Campaign, Wesleyan is also advancing a major athletics initiative that includes the renovation and expansion of Porter Gym into a state-of-the-art facility for students and student-athletes, along with increased athletic scholarships to enhance college access for deserving young women in Middle Georgia. 

     “I am deeply grateful to the entire Wesleyan community, Board of Trustees, and especially to Chair Deborah Moses, for their confidence and partnership,” said Blight. “Wesleyan is a college with an extraordinary history and an even more powerful future. Every day, I see what happens when women are given the opportunity, support, and confidence to lead. This next chapter is about building on our momentum, widening access to a Wesleyan education, and ensuring that our students are prepared not only to enter the world, but to shape it.”

     With record fundraising, historic enrollment growth, expanded athletics, and a renewed commitment to elevating the student experience, Wesleyan enters the next four years with a clear mandate for continued progress.

     “Throughout our nearly 200-year-old history, Wesleyan has always been a place where women become trailblazers,” Moses said. “President Blight understands both the weight of that legacy and the urgency of this moment. The Board is proud to stand with her as Wesleyan continues to accelerate equality for women.”

About Wesleyan College

Founded in 1836 in Macon, Georgia, Wesleyan College was the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. Today, the College prepares students to lead with confidence through career-connected education across the School of Applied Sciences & Nursing, the School of Global & Professional Studies, and the School of Media, Arts & Culture. Voted Best College/University in Middle Georgia for three consecutive years, Wesleyan combines historic purpose with a future-oriented commitment to helping young women access a transformative education academically, professionally, and financially. Learn more at www.wesleyancollege.edu.