Executive Vice President, Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Wilmington, Delaware

I started with American Bank & Trust (later to become First of America Bank) in Lansing after graduation as a management trainee and progressed through the retail/branch banking division roles to Vice President and Division Manager. In 1985, I moved over to the Trust Division as Senior Vice President and Division Manager. The Trust Department was merged into the First of America Bank Holding Company’s Trust Division, allowing for growth to Regional Trust Manager, and in 1989, I moved to Kalamazoo as Senior Vice President for Trust and Financial Services.
In 1990, I “retired” from banking and returned to Hillsdale College as Director of Development Funds. I was responsible for The President’s Club and Independence Funds during the College’s 150th anniversary FreedomQuest Fund, assisting in raising $220 million for the College.
In 1996, I moved to
Alexandria, Virginia, as Executive Vice President/COO/CFO of the Media Research Center—America’s Media Watchdog.
After 12 successful years of growth and significant impact, I made the move back to the battle of ideas by educating for liberty, joining the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) as Executive Vice President and COO.

The liberal arts education taught me to see the broad view. This greater understanding of the world enables me to put and keep issues, challenges and solutions in perspective. This provided me with a sound foundation that has significantly assisted my career in management, marketing and strategic planning.

Seize the opportunity to earn a complete education with Hillsdale’s solid liberal arts core curriculum steeped in Western Civilization and the permanent things, taught by amazing faculty with a passion for the ideas and the teaching. Once educated in the big picture, then pursue your passions. Hillsdale College is a great place to start learning and to find your passion.
And, the harder you work at learning this stuff as a student, the greater the value it will provide in your life.

I must admit that I came to Hillsdale to play football and run track, which helped pay for what turned out to be an exceptional education.

The combination of education and athletics taught me discipline, hard work and team work and leadership. I learned my limits and how to push through them to achieve greater levels in every perspective.

The highlight is that it doesn’t end. Hillsdale is still very much a part of my life with classmates, teammates, faculty and staff, all of whom remain good friends and share the values and principles learned—and still taught—at Hillsdale.

dmills@isi.org