Office of the President

Carson D. Castleman, Ph.D., was unanimously elected the 8th president of Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Aug. 11, 2023, and officially started his tenure on Oct. 1, 2023.

He grew up within the nurturing community of Covington Central Church of the Nazarene on the Eastern Kentucky District. He is a fourth generation Nazarene and has been a steadfast and dedicated member of the Church of the Nazarene his entire life. This unique connection makes him the first president to emerge from the region.

His remarkable career in Christian higher education spans over 26 years and includes expertise with both traditional and non-traditional student enrollment and engagement. He began his career in the MVNU Admissions Office as an admissions counselor and later as Associate Director of Admissions. He then was hired as the Director of University Advancement. After serving as the Chief Enrollment Officer at Nazarene Theological Seminary, he moved on to Indiana Wesleyan University where he has spent the last 20 years in progressive roles where he was instrumental in developing innovative partnerships that have resulted in incredible enrollment growth.

Dr. Carson Castleman graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/English. He earned a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master of Arts in Religion and Counseling from Liberty University. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Administration from Capella University.

His impressive track record in Christian higher education, coupled with his deep commitment to Christian values, made him an ideal choice to lead MVNU as it continues its mission to educate the whole person and cultivate Christ-likeness for lifelong learning and service.

His wife of 25 years, Dr. Angela Castleman, a 2000 alumna of MVNU. She has served over 24 years in the field of education including roles as a classroom teacher, building administrator, and university professor. She also served as a member of the MVNU Board of Trustees for over five years. They have two children, Claire (Neven) Perry and Carter.