William (Bill) C. Nelsen is a Senior Consultant and Member at ZRG The Registry, a division of ZRG’s Education, Nonprofit, and Social Impact practice. He brings extensive experience in higher education leadership, interim executive service, advancement, academic administration, and faith-based institutions.

Bill has been a member of ZRG The Registry since 2004, serving in interim roles and as a senior consultant focused on new and innovative directions for colleges, universities, and seminaries.

His career has included service as president of Augustana University, president of Scholarship America, the nation's largest private-sector scholarship organization, vice president and academic dean of St. Olaf College, University Minister and Interim President at Midland University, and Interim President of Episcopal Divinity School. In his interim role at Episcopal Divinity School, he helped forge an affiliation with Union Theological Seminary to support long-term academic and financial stability.  

His Registry assignments have also included interim positions at North Carolina Wesleyan College and Tennessee State University. Bill’s expertise is especially relevant to seminaries, private church-related colleges, leadership transitions, scholarship organizations, and institutions navigating strategic change.

Bill earned his bachelor’s degree from Midland University, his master’s in religion and ethics from Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, and his PhD in political science from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Fulbright Scholar, an author, a pastor, and a recipient of the McKee Leadership in Education Award.

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