Michael Betz

Chief Digital Officer and President, Walden University

Michael Betz serves as chief digital officer of Covista and president of Walden University. In his dual role, Betz leads digital transformation and AI strategy across Covista and its institutions, preparing the next generation of professionals for modern clinical practice.

As president of Walden University, Betz leads the institution serving over 50,000 online learners through doctoral, master's, bachelor's, and certificate programs that help students advance their education to address critical workforce shortages. In his enterprise role as chief digital officer, he oversees how Covista teaches, supports, and engages learners across all five institutions, leading innovation that helps deliver AI-ready graduates to the healthcare workforce while creating systems that improve efficiency and connectivity across the organization.

Betz empowers his teams to improve the student experience while strengthening Covista's leadership in nursing, medicine, and behavioral health education. Through strategic partnerships and advanced technology, he helps Covista address urgent healthcare workforce needs—from rural healthcare shortages to the growing demand for mental health professionals. His technology initiatives have increased efficiency while expanding the company's ability to serve working adults and career changers.

Betz brings more than 15 years of experience at technology-focused higher education companies. Before joining Covista, he was a partner at McKinsey & Co., where he helped lead the firm's higher education and growth transformation practices, advising clients on customer experience, analytics, and technology innovation. Previously, he held leadership roles at Strayer University as senior vice president, chief marketing officer, and head of strategy, and served as chief marketing officer at Ellucian, a higher education technology company, where he led global marketing strategies.

Betz earned his bachelor’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University and his dual master’s degree in business administration and public affairs from the University of Texas.