The Hesston College Board of Directors voted unanimously to reappoint Joseph Manickam to a second four-year term as president during fall meetings, held virtually in late October.

Manickam was named as the ninth president of Hesston College in 2016 and assumed office on July 1, 2017.

During his first four-year term, Manickam has overseen completion of a major capital campaign, construction of new and refurbished buildings and creation of new four-year programs in nursing and aviation.

Under his leadership the college will further explore offering four-year degrees in business and engineering, as outlined in the college’s “Vision 2025” growth plan.

Manickam’s reappointment signals a continued commitment on the part of the college’s leadership to Manickam’s vision of an expansive, inclusive, globally engaged college. Primary among his tasks has been evolving Hesston from a “college for Mennonites” to a “Mennonite college for all.”

“The board’s unanimous vote to reappoint Dr. Manickam to his second term is not just an affirmation of the work he has done for Hesston College in the past four years but a vote of ­confidence and endorsement of the strategic direction for the next four years,” said Ken G. Kabira of Bartlett, Ill., chair of the board of directors. “Under President Joe’s leadership, we are confident Hesston will not just survive the current pandemic but emerge stronger and more capable of living its mission to educate and nurture every student in a Christ-centered community.”

Manickam previously served as director of the Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace and a faculty member for peace studies at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand.