Eileen Hulme: CATALYZING INNOVATION
CATALYST John 4:28-29
A person who initiates significant change, inspiring or influencing events, people, or circumstances. Women who acted as catalysts in Scripture like Naomi, the Samaritan Woman, and Lydia set transformation in motion — whether through leadership, faith, wisdom, or bold action.
Eileen Hulme, chancellor of IWU’s National and Global division, combines visionary leadership with authentic human connection to transform online education for more than 12,000 adult learners. Since assuming the chancellorship in February 2022, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation while maintaining a deeply personal approach to leadership.
“Chancellor Hulme always leans into what could be instead of enjoying the comfort of what is,” said Mike Manning, vice president of academic affairs for the College of Adult and Professional Studies.
Her extensive experience — including leadership roles at Baylor University, Azusa Pacific University, and Warner Pacific University — positioned her to lead National and Global into its next chapter of growth and innovation. At the heart of her leadership philosophy lies a deep commitment to fostering innovative thinking across the organization.
“Despite Chancellor Hulme’s illustrious career in higher education, she intentionally seeks to push the boundaries by engaging thought leaders from multiple disciplines,” said Andy Hughes, dean of the DeVoe School of Business, Technology, and Leadership. “Hulme fosters a culture of innovation through the power of poignant questions that challenge previously held beliefs or practices.”
Growth and innovation at a university require leaders who embrace experimentation and new ideas. It’s rare to encounter leaders like Hulme who empower and trust their deans to take risks and follow their own expertise, even when the future is uncertain.
This trust in innovation is exemplified in vHulme’s support for National and Global’s first 90-credit-hour bachelor’s degree program — an initiative which demonstrates her willingness to embrace transformative approaches.
Her leadership style departs from traditional top-down models. Her collaborative mindset also extends to how she supports and funds new initiatives.
“By sharing her thoughts, she pushes change down through the organization instead of it feeling forced from the top,” said Rita Pinkerton, assistant vice president for finance and business intelligence at National and Global.
“Chancellor Hulme provides funding to try new things and knows some things will fail. When one thing fails, it teaches something about the next innovative thing to try.”
“HULME FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INNOVATION THROUGH THE POWER OF POIGNANT QUESTIONS THAT CHALLENGE PREVIOUSLY HELD BELIEFS OR PRACTICES.”
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ANDY HUGHES
Dean of the DeVoe School of Business, Technology, and Leadership
Her impact goes beyond strategic innovation. Her pursuit of excellence is consistently balanced with authentic care for people.
“She has a commitment to excellence and regularly challenges everyone at National and Global to a higher standard in everything we do,” said Andre Givens, vice president of global strategy and strategic relationships. “I have observed Eileen demonstrate wonderful compassion for faculty, staff, and students in difficult situations. She has a gracious and giving heart.”
She consistently emphasizes programs that meet emerging student needs while anticipating industry trends. This powerful combination of innovation, excellence, and compassion drives her approach to building partnerships and community connections that expand the institution’s reach and impact.
Her influence is evident not just in strategic vision but in the relationships she cultivates along the way.
“Chancellor Hulme isn’t afraid to ask ‘Why’ even when things appear to be running smoothly,” Hughes said.
This questioning mindset, along with a hands-on approach to partnership building, has significantly expanded National and Global’s presence and impact.
“She’s always willing to step into meetings with partners and community leaders to move the organization forward,” Pinkerton said, citing a recent example in which Chancellor Hulme flew to Texas for a one-day meeting with a pipeline partner. This willingness to engage directly with stakeholders exemplifies her leadership philosophy — one that blends courageous decision-making with ensuring others feel seen and valued.
The Indy North Tech Center will be the site for our reimagined DeVoe School of Business, Leadership, and Technology, and the Ft. Wayne Integrated Health Hub will provide an innovative educational solution to healthcare challenges in our region.
The Fort Wayne Health Hub and the Indy North building — reimagined as community ecosystems through the DeVoe Experience — will provide an educational solution to healthcare challenges in the Midwest, reflecting Hulme’s innovative spirit and commitment to deepening National and Global’s local impact. Through these efforts, Hulme demonstrates that effective leadership in modern higher education requires both visionary thinking and the ability to build meaningful, human-centered connections beyond institutional walls.
As chancellor, her impact reaches far beyond traditional metrics of success. Under her guidance, National and Global is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in higher education, from groundbreaking academic programs to transformative community initiatives. Chancellor Hulme’s legacy as a catalyst for change is evident in the culture she has nurtured, the partnerships she has formed and the lives she continues to impact through her compassionate, forward-thinking leadership.
Her work proves that becoming a true catalyst for change is possible — when bold vision meets a deep, genuine care for people.