AGB Search Assists Lewis University with Recruitment of 11th President
March 12, 2026 – Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. The Lewis University board of trustees previously announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
“After a thorough and highly competitive national search, the board unanimously concluded that Dr. Sindt is the right leader to guide Lewis into its next chapter,” Tim Ferrarell, chair of the board of trustees, said in a letter to the community. “Ultimately, Dr. Sindt’s exceptional record of leadership, his deep commitment to our Catholic and Lasallian mission, and his clear vision for the future of Lewis distinguished him as the ideal choice.”
Since joining Lewis University in 2018 as provost, Dr. Sindt has served with extraordinary distinction as provost, overseeing academic affairs, enrollment management, student life, athletics, and campus safety. He has played a central role in advancing the university’s strategic plan, strengthening student success, expanding academic innovation, and leading key initiatives that position Lewis for continued growth and impact.
Under his leadership, Lewis achieved a successful 10-year reaccreditation term from the Higher Learning Commission, launched multiple new academic programs, expanded international partnerships, and supported major institutional milestones, including the merger with St. Augustine College and the growth of sponsored research and fundraising efforts.
Prior to Lewis, Dr. Sindt provided exceptional academic and administrative leadership for 17 years at Saint Mary’s College of California. The American Council of Education Fellow served as program director of the MFA Program in Creative Writing, the associate dean of the School of Liberal Arts, the dean of the Kalmanovitz School of Education, the vice provost for graduate and professional studies, and the vice provost for academic affairs.
“Sindt is widely respected across campus as a thoughtful, collaborative, and mission-driven leader,” Mr. Ferrarell added. “His deep understanding of Lewis’s culture and values, combined with his extensive experience in higher education, leadership and his passion for Lasallian education, will ensure strong continuity as we build upon the remarkable legacy of Dr. David Livingston.”
Lewis University is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic institution in Romeoville, IL, founded in 1932 by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Today, it offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and many graduate offerings, serving a richly diverse student body in both traditional and adult student pathways.
Serving Colleges and Universities
AGB Search conducts searches for college and university presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans, university system heads, and CEOs of coordinating boards and related foundations. The firm was founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) in 2010.
Related: Western Colorado University Retains AGB Search for Senior Assignment
Dr. Trotta joined AGB Search as associate managing principal in 2017. She has spent more than 25 years in higher education administration at universities including Harvard, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins in leadership roles that spanned admissions and enrollment, program management, executive education, and strategic planning. She has partnered with institutions on searches for presidents, chief financial officers, chief information officers, deans, provosts, executive vice presidents/chief operating officers, and vice presidents and vice provosts for enrollment management, finance and administration, institutional research and university registrar services.
AGB Search Recruits 12th President for Saint Leo University
AGB Search has assisted in the recruitment of Jim Burkee as the 12th president of Saint Leo University, following the retirement of Dr. Edward Dadez in February. Senior executive search consultant Sally Mason and executive search consultant Larry Ladd led the assignment. More than 300 candidates from across the nation applied. Finalists were interviewed by a university search committee, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. “Dr. Jim Burkee’s unique background and past accomplishments made him the absolute best candidate to ensure Saint Leo’s future prosperity and to deliver upon its Catholic Benedictine mission in new and innovative ways,” said Noel Boeke, chair of the Saint Leo University board of trustees. “We are excited about what the future holds for Florida’s first and oldest Catholic university.”
Mr. Kilcoyne joined AGB Search as a principal in January 2023. He has over 20 years of higher-education executive search experience, having completed over 250 searches. His search assignments for presidents, vice presidents and deans have focused on search committee and board relations; institutional analysis; marketing, candidate identification, recruitment, and evaluation; candidate due diligence; and selection and transition.
Dr. Cech joined AGB Search as an executive search consultant in June 2025. He brings decades of executive experience and national recognition as a transformational higher education leader. Dr. Cech most recently served as the 18th president of Carroll College (2018–2025), where he led the institution to national prominence through academic innovation, capital improvements, and global partnerships. A former deputy commissioner for the Montana University System and dean/CEO of City College at Montana State University Billings, Dr. Cech is widely respected for his ability to build strategic coalitions and guide institutional change.
Related: AGB Search Assists Linfield University with the Recruitment of 21st President
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
