Peter Holbrook, Ph.D.

Peter J. Holbrook, Ph.D. is a visionary, values-based leader, adept at building strong working relationships and networks to leverage the talents of others to strategically and operationally achieve sustainable results. As Provost and Chief Operating Officer for Tiffin University, Holbrook brings more than 40 years of experience in organizational leadership, change management, teaching, leadership training, board development, fundraising, program development, assessment and evaluation, and strategic planning. Prior to joining Tiffin University, Holbrook was President and CEO of Cream City Foundation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Dean of the College of Business and Management, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Holbrook serves as Tiffin University’s first Provost, a role that highlights his ability to lead transformative change through shared vision, leadership, decision-making, and governance. Holbrook’s emphasis has been on driving student success through excellence and continuous improvement, leading to the development of signature programs and fellowships distinctive to Tiffin University that meet the educational needs of students and employers. Focused on the future of teaching and learning, he oversees the adoption of alternative credentials and micro-learning initiatives across multiple modalities, including credit and non-credit programs.

During his tenure at Stritch, Dr. Holbrook served in a number of key leadership roles that positively impacted the university’s fundraising, public relations, enrollment, and academic initiatives, including serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Leadership Center. Early in his tenure, he led the process to achieve university status. As Dean of the College of Business and Management, he provided strategic leadership and insights for all academic programs within the college. He guided a multi-year change process that resulted in reaffirmation of the College’s ACBSP Accreditation, the renewal and growth of academic programs, and the reestablishment of faculty-shared governance, nearly tripling the number of full-time faculty lines to support quality teaching and learning in the classroom.

Holbrook has taught at the doctoral and undergraduate levels at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a researcher, published writer, and speaker on leadership and change management, with an emphasis on Franciscan, servant, and transformational leadership. His current research interests include exploring the intersection of leadership capacity and innovation and change. Additional areas of expertise include cultural intelligence, with a focus on inclusive leadership and culture.

Holbrook has experience designing and facilitating leadership development programs and training for numerous for- and nonprofit organizations in Southeastern Wisconsin. He is a trained facilitator and coach in Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and Compression Planning. He has also led and facilitated strategic planning sessions for local organizations in Wisconsin, including the Medical College of Wisconsin, and is a member of numerous professional organizations.

Holbrook has volunteered with several local and national nonprofits in Southeastern Wisconsin and Seneca County, Ohio, including service on the Board of Directors of the

International Institute of Wisconsin, as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Services, as a Commissioner and Vice Chair of the Milwaukee County Commission on Aging, on the Board of Directors of Diverse and Resilient in Milwaukee, and on the Milwaukee Public Television Vision 2057 Task Force.

Dr. Holbrook holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and a Master of Science in Management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.