David Horner’s career has spanned five decades and centered on three transformative institutional presidencies: Barrington College (1979-1985); North Park University (1987-2004); The American College of Greece (2008 – present).
At the time of his Barrington College (RI) appointment, he was the youngest (age 29) college or university president in the U.S. Inheriting an institution with a “going concern qualification”, he stabilized the College’s finances and led it into a successful merger with Gordon College (MA).
At North Park (Chicago, IL), he again inherited an institution with a significant operating challenge: 30% enrollment decline in the previous three years. During his presidency, enrollment tripled, major capital projects (library, chapel, residence halls, athletic and recreation facilities, campus green space) were completed, and the endowment grew six-fold.
As ACG’s second longest serving president in the College’s nearly 150-year history (President John S. Bailey, 1975 – 2008), and despite operating for the majority of his term in Greece’s nearly decade-long financial crisis or the Covid pandemic, his tenure has featured comprehensive institutional development leveraging ACG education for individual, economic, cultural, and social impact:
Brand & Reputation. Established ACG as the premier option in Greece for independent Pre-K – 12, undergraduate and graduate education.
Academic & Co-Curricular Programs. Initiated world-class “inbound” study abroad program serving 250 universities and over 1,000 students annually; developed comprehensive “outbound” study abroad program with tuition-exchange at outstanding U.S. universities (e.g. Boston College, Emory University, University of Virginia) and universities around the world; reimagined and increased five-fold the College’s distinctive “Parallel Study Program” enrolling over 1,000 Greek public university students annually; expanded undergraduate and graduate curricula; initiated International Honors Program enrolling over 200 students with summer study option in Stanford University International Honors Program; implemented an undergraduate student residency plan; launched a Pre-K – 6 school.
Enrollment Profile and Student Access. Since 2012, ACG doubled and diversified enrollment to over 7,000 students from 70 or more countries (reversing 50% enrollment decline, 2000 – 2008); shifted middle 50% new undergraduate high school grade range from 2.4 – 2.9 to 3.3 – 3.8; enhanced student access, expanding financial aid from less than 10% to 50% of the student body.
Community Outreach. Launched Deree Sports Academy and ACG Fitness, serving over 2,000 children and local community members annually; initiated Institutes and Centers of Excellence to contribute to Greece’s economic, cultural, and social development; launched Heritage Greece in partnership with the National Hellenic Society, connecting over 500 Greek American students to their Greek roots.
Organization. Merged ACG with Alba Graduate Business School (AGBS); established The American University of Greece Global Campus in Massachusetts.
Campus, Technology and Financial Resources. Converted Downtown Campus to support AGBS; implemented Main Campus long-term development plan, including renovation of over 300,000 sq. ft. of academic, co-curricular and administrative space (e.g. Simulated Trading Room, STEM labs, art galleries, classrooms, main library, athletic and recreation facilities, parking); constructed and/or repurposed five student residence halls; executed multi-year technology investment plan; acquired and developed 27-acre, 170,000 sq. ft. facilities, Pre-K – 12 campus; achieved STARS Gold sustainability rating; invested in comprehensive institutional advancement yielding a six-fold increase in annual fundraising; exceeded 2025 endowment goal of $250M.
President Horner received a: bachelor’s degree (philosophy), summa cum laude, from Barrington College; MA (philosophy) from the University of Rhode Island; MBA and PhD in higher education administration and policy analysis from Stanford University. Together with his late spouse, S. Sue Horner, he has two adult children and four grandchildren.
