Title: President
Company: University of West Alabama
Location: Livingston, Alabama, United States
Todd G. Fritch, President at the University of West Alabama, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Higher Education Administration.
Dr. Fritch has established a distinguished career in higher education leadership, marked by more than 25 years of progressive responsibility and impact. Since 2025, he has served as the president of the University of West Alabama in Livingston, where he provides comprehensive leadership over the institution. Dr. Fritch’s tenure is characterized by a commitment to strengthening the university’s academic standing and serving the rural community through workforce and economic development initiatives.
Before being appointed executive vice president and provost at the University of West Alabama, Dr. Fritch served as the executive vice president and provost at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, from 2018 to 2025. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in academic leadership and institutional advancement.
Dr. Fritch spent 2014 to 2018 with Shorelight Education in Boston, a leading international student marketplace in the United States. During that time, he served as vice president of business development and global solutions. Concurrently, Dr. Fritch excelled as the chief academic officer between 2015 and 2018, overseeing academic strategy for global education partnerships.
Among his earlier academic roles, Dr. Fritch served as the provost at American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 2012 to 2014, during which he received multiple awards for excellence and outstanding service. Dr. Fritch previously held positions at The American College of Greece in Athens, beginning in 2008 as the vice president of academic development and dean of graduate and professional studies, and then as the vice president of academic affairs and dean of graduate and professional studies from 2010 to 2012.
Dr. Fritch’s administrative career began at Northeastern University in Boston, where he held several key roles, including academic director of science and GIS laboratory director from 2004 to 2006, director of academic administration from 2006 to 2007, and assistant dean for academic affairs, administration, and planning between 2007 and 2008. During the latter half of 2008, he was the senior assistant dean for academic and faculty affairs.
A first-generation college graduate from rural northern Michigan, Dr. Fritch’s educational journey began with a Bachelor of Science in geology from Lake Superior State University in his home state, in the city of Sault Ste. Marie in 1993. He continued his studies at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, earning a Master of Science in geology in 1995 and a Doctor of Philosophy in geology in 1999. Dr. Fritch’s commitment to ongoing professional development is demonstrated by a certificate from the Institute for Educational Management in 2022 and an executive certificate in higher education leadership in 2025, both earned from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Dr. Fritch’s entry into academia was shaped by early experiences as a teaching assistant during his graduate studies at Baylor University, where he discovered a passion for education that ultimately led him away from research toward higher education administration. After earning his doctorate, he began his career at Northeastern University as both an adjunct and a full-time professor while establishing his own laboratory.
Engaged with professional organizations, Dr. Fritch is a member of The Geological Society of America, Inc., the Council of University Presidents, the Higher Education Partnership of Alabama and the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences. Beyond these affiliations, his influence extends through active participation on boards, including the NCAA Board for the Gulf South Conference and the board of directors of the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
Among his most notable professional achievements, Dr. Fritch led the creation of an inclusive 10-year strategic plan that redefined the University of West Alabama’s approach to institutional planning. This initiative fostered a culture in which every employee is reflected in the mission, promoting engagement and inclusivity. Under Dr. Fritch’s guidance, the university broke ground on a $23 million renovation of the student union building, the first major investment in student experience in decades, achieved record enrollments exceeding 7,000 students, and celebrated a record fundraising year.
Dr. Fritch’s achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Chancellor’s Best Practice Award from the Florida Department of Education, an Outstanding Commendation from the board of trustees at American International College, an Outstanding Alumni Award from Lake Superior State University in 2016 and recognition by the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame. He also received several President’s Excellence Awards.
Attributing his success to a leadership philosophy grounded in ownership, accountability and responsibility, Dr. Fritch emphasizes transparency and high performance by fostering an environment in which team members are encouraged to take calculated risks and learn from both successes and setbacks. His ability to articulate vision and guide teams toward operational excellence has been central throughout his career.
Looking ahead, Dr. Fritch envisions guiding the University of West Alabama toward its fullest potential through ambitious growth strategies focused on expanding enrollment and investing strategically in campus infrastructure. He also intends to continue championing future leaders who will continue advancing the institution’s mission.
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