With over 20 years of successful leadership and strategic marketing experience in technology, aerospace, education and healthcare, Dr. Anthony Paustian has a proven track record in effective collaboration and communication, innovative problem-solving, and successful teaching / mentoring.

After serving in the United States Air Force and completing his first round of graduate studies, Dr. Paustian led the marketing department for a Chicago-based Fortune 1000 company. He later applied what he had learned through traditional business practices to work directly with companies and organizations across the nation.

In 1999, Dr. Paustian was hired to oversee the design and development of a state-of-the-art college campus, focused in the areas of technology, business and liberal arts. Under his leadership, the DMACC West Campus opened in the fall of 2001 and went on to receive national media attention for its proactive, innovative approach to education. In 2002, the campus was only one of four colleges (and the only community college) to be named to InfoWorld Magazine’s 100 List of the Most Innovative Organizations. That same year, the campus received a Telly Award for its innovative introductory television commercial and a Paragon Award for its Virtual Campus interactive CD-ROM.

In 2003, Dr. Paustian was awarded the Technology Association of Iowa’s Information Technology Leader of the Year Award and was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s prestigious 40 Under 40. Under Paustian’s continued leadership as Provost, the campus recently unveiled its Celebrate! Innovation™ exhibition. Designed to inspire students, staff and faculty, the project consists of four campus exhibit areas focused on innovation and creative thinking: American Innovators - the Stories, 20 Years of Personal Computing, 150 Years of Telecom (from the Telegraph to the Internet), and Innovation Week (iWeek). In 2011, the Iowa Office of Tourism listed the exhibition as a state destination spot.

Dr. Paustian has authored a number of books and journal articles in the areas of creative problem solving, marketing, and leadership including Imagine! (©2007/1997 Prentice Hall) and Bridging the Gap (©2001 Paradigm Publishing). He is currently authoring another book focused on personal leadership: Beware the Purple People Eaters (©2013 BookPress Publishing).

Dr. Paustian holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Psychology from the University of Iowa, an M.B.A. from Loyola University Chicago, and a Masters in Design Management from Northern Illinois University and the American Center of Design.