Michael Betz

Michael Betz serves as Chief Growth & Innovation Officer of Covista and President of Walden University. In this expanded role, Betz unites marketing, digital innovation and growth strategy across Covista and its portfolio of institutions—driving greater integration, smarter investment and a more seamless approach to how Covista attracts and engages students.

As President of Walden University, Betz leads an institution serving over 50,000 online learners through doctoral, master's, bachelor's and certificate programs that help students advance their education and address critical workforce shortages. In his enterprise role as Chief Growth & Innovation Officer, he oversees marketing and digital strategy across all five institutions—harnessing artificial intelligence and emerging technology to sharpen Covista's competitive position and accelerate growth.

Betz empowers his teams to strengthen the student experience while expanding Covista's leadership in nursing, medicine and behavioral health education. Through strategic partnerships, advanced technology and integrated marketing, he helps Covista address urgent healthcare workforce needs—from rural healthcare shortages to the growing demand for mental health professionals.

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. Previously, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at Ellucian, held senior leadership roles at Strayer University as SVP, CMO and Head of Strategy, and served as CMO at Pansophic Education, where he led marketing strategy across a portfolio of institutions.

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.