Cornerstone Board Extends President’s Contract
Cornerstone University’s Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a five-year contract extension with President Gerson Moreno-Riaño. This decision reaffirms the board’s confidence in the president’s leadership and strong support for his ongoing success in strategically laying the groundwork for a solid path of future growth for the university.
“President Moreno-Riaño has brought vision, strategic focus, strength, and gospel-centered direction to Cornerstone,” said Dr. Rick Koole, chair of the Board of Trustees. “At a time when higher education is navigating uncertainty, his steady and strategic leadership has provided the clarity and stability needed to advance our mission. We are confident in his ability to continue guiding Cornerstone forward with faith, wisdom and excellence.”
The board’s decision comes as Cornerstone is reporting another increase in student enrollment for fall 2025, along with a series of direct-to-business relationships designed for the university to help monitor and support the regional talent needs. Ultimately, this work is helping students move quickly to connect with their future career paths.
Dr. Moreno-Riaño joined Cornerstone in 2021 and has led with strategic clarity, pursuing Christian Worldview fidelity and market relevance as the underpinning of the university’s impact. In 2025, Cornerstone gained national recognition through The Wall Street Journal America’s Best Colleges listing. It was the only faith-based school in the region to receive this honor. Since taking office, Dr. Moreno-Riaño has successfully recruited and retained excellent faculty and staff who have helped guide the university to launch several initiatives that reflect Cornerstone’s mission, including:
Foundational Commitments: Development of three anchoring and guiding documents founded on the Cornerstone Confession — the Christian Worldview Statement, the Academic Vision Statement, and the Beautiful Christian Community Statement.
The Cornerstone Advantage™: Created as a distinctive educational model that integrates a compelling, sophisticated Christian worldview with a market-aligned education and vibrant student life.
Market-Aligned Academics and Milestones: Developed five market- and ministry-aligned schools, including a refined Cornerstone Theological Seminary. Academic milestones achieved include the Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) receiving Commission on Collegiate Nursing Educations (CCNE) accreditation and celebrating 100% NCLEX pass rate for inaugural nursing cohort. The Bachelor of Science in exercise science was awarded accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Enrollment Growth Initiative: Designed to extend the reach of its mission, the INFLUENCE 3000 initiative has resulted in Cornerstone achieving five consecutive semesters of new student enrollment growth.
Christian Thought Leadership and National Engagement: To expand its mission-centric influence, Cornerstone launched its signature Christian thought leadership series – Wisdom Conversations. Averaging over 800 attendees per event, Wisdom Conversations has connected students and the Cornerstone community to preeminent Christian thinkers, public intellectuals, and leaders. And the President’s Fellows program, along with recent presidential op-eds, are placing Cornerstone at the center of the national conversation on rethinking higher education for the future.
Mission-Centric Innovation: Created and launched SOAR™, the nation’s first fully mobile-delivered, most radically affordable accredited business degree. Designed for working adults and employee training programs, SOAR™ eliminates barriers to earn a market-ready, Christ-centered college degree.
