Academic Search Tapped by the University of Southern Indiana to Find New President

January 22, 2025 – Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been by the University of Southern Indiana to lead in its efforts to find its fifth president. Ron Rochon resigned as president last year. Jay LemonsStuart DorseyJennifer Kooken, and Amy Bonsiero are leading the assignment. Christina Ryan, chair of the presidential search committee, is leading the committee, which will oversee bringing forward candidates for full board consideration and final approval to fill the president role. The presidential search is anticipated to be completed by summer 2025.

The incoming president will lead a vibrant university with considerable growth potential, momentum and a strong history of stable finances. They will be welcomed by a faculty and staff that cares deeply about the university and are dedicated to serving students. The next president will be expected to build upon the accomplishments of their presidential predecessors, elevate the university’s reputation and visibility and implement a strategy for growth in enrollment, resources and influence.

The next president of the University of Southern Indiana will have a graduate degree, with a preference for an earned terminal degree, and/or a successful track record of increasing responsibility and proven leadership experience that demonstrates the ability to manage a complex organization. Demonstrated capabilities should include leading and developing a team of high-performing individuals, financial and business acumen, excellent communication skills, success in meeting institutional/organizational outcomes in alignment with mission and outstanding interpersonal skills.

Those applying should have the ability to develop and effectively communicate an inspiring and motivating vision. They must be an open, genuine and engaging person who develops and cultivates relationships on campus among students, faculty, staff, the board of trustees, and externally with alumni, donors, government officials and Evansville and statewide leaders. Candidates should have excellent communication skills, ability to listen with empathy and discernment, communicate complex issues and decisions, inspire confidence, build trust and advance an inclusive culture of care, collaboration and transparency. An understanding of, and preferably experience with, the opportunities and challenges presented by NCAA Division I athletics is desired as well an understanding of the external environment influencing higher education, including state and federal government policies and their impact on institutions of higher education.

Established in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana is one of five state universities in Indiana conferring baccalaureate and higher degrees. The school enrolls nearly 9,500 undergraduate, graduate and dual credit students in more than 130 areas of study with an average grade point average of 3.5 for entering freshman. Degrees are offered through its four academic colleges and School of Graduate Studies.

Higher Education Specialists

For over three decades, Academic Search has been a leader in designing and implementing search processes for leaders of colleges and universities across the country. The firm has completed hundreds of executive searches for higher education institutions and related organizations, for roles ranging from presidents to provosts to deans. Academic Search has a formal relationship to a premier leadership development program. As the subsidiary of the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), the firm provides substantial financial support to a number of leadership identification, development, and support programs across all sectors of public and private higher education. The firm is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Related: Academic Search Recruits President for Norwich University

Dr. Lemons has been president of Academic Search since 2017, after serving for 25 years as a college president in both public and private higher education. A recognized leader in the academy, he has been particularly devoted to supporting leadership talent by working with new college presidents on the faculty of the new presidents’ programs of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Council of Independent Colleges and through the professional development programs for aspiring leaders of the American Academic Leadership Institute. Dr. Lemons was president of Susquehanna University from 2001 to 2017, and prior to that served as chancellor of the University of Virginia’s (UVA) College at Wise, UVA’s public liberal arts college in southwestern Virginia.

Dr. Dorsey was appointed president of Texas Lutheran University in 2011. Prior to that, he was associate professor of economics at West Virginia University; professor, department chair, and academic dean at Baker University; vice president for academic affairs at the University of Evansville; and president of the University of Redlands. Dr. Dorsey also served for three years as chief economist for the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, where he supported the work of the committee on fiscal policy, tax reform and trade.

Ms. Kooken, consultant, joined Academic Search from Merrimack College, where she served as director of business school initiatives. Prior to that, Ms. Kooken collaborated with academic administrators and clients to develop engaging professional development programs for the Graduate Management Admission Council. She began her career in higher education as assistant director of graduate admissions for Babson College.

Ms. Bonsiero joined Academic Search in 2021 and brings diverse experience in higher education. She has served in many roles including full-time faculty, institutional effectiveness coordinator, and executive assistant to the dean of academic affairs. Ms. Bonsiero has served on multiple committees including the faculty development committee, the quality enhancement plan committee, and the commencement committee, and also functioned as the department representative on nationwide curriculum meetings.

Related: Academic Search Places New Provost for New Mexico State University

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

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