CarterBaldwin Recruits Provost for Lipscomb University
October 17, 2022 – CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Jennifer Shewmaker as the new provost of Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. She succeeds W. Craig Bledsoe, Lipscomb’s chief academic officer, who served as provost for 25 years. “The search process for our next provost was extraordinarily thorough,” said Alan Bradshaw, chair of the search committee and director of Lipscomb’s Honors College. “Our large and diverse search committee started with an impressive field of highly-qualified candidates that was pared to a few individuals who went through a rigorous interview and vetting process.”
“Dr. Shewmaker’s academic credentials, including notable research and teaching experience as well as distinguished administrative service, made her an exceptionally interesting candidate for the committee,” said Dr. Bradshaw. “But the energy and vision she articulated during her in-person interviews sealed our confidence in her abilities to lead us as our chief academic officer. We are thrilled that she will be leading our academic efforts.”
“Dr. Shewmaker’s passion for Christian education, 20 years of experience in higher education, and track record of visionary leadership make her a strong fit for this very important role at Lipscomb,” said Candice McQueen, president of Lipscomb. “She is known among her colleagues and peers as a successful, relational, and collaborative administrator whose faith is integral to her professional life, and I look forward to the impact that she will have on our students and academic offerings for years to come.”
Dr.. Shewmaker joins Lipscomb from Abilene Christian University (ACU), where she was dean of the College of Education and Human Services and a professor of psychology. While at ACU, she served in a variety of administrative roles including assistant provost for teaching, learning and inquiry; chair of strategic planning; executive director of the Walter H. Adams Center for Teaching and Learning; director of faculty enrichment; and director of the School Psychology Specialist Program.
“Dr. Shewmaker is a perfect fit for this important role. She has excelled as a dean and has the breadth of knowledge, experience, and energy necessary to meet the needs of a growing university like Lipscomb,” said ACU provost Robert Rhodes. “Her ability to work with faculty and staff to address complex challenges, enhance existing programs, and pursue new opportunities will be a tremendous benefit. She will be greatly missed and Lipscomb will be greatly blessed.”
“It is an honor to be chosen to serve as Lipscomb’s next provost,” Dr.. Shewmaker said. “This is a community of exceptional faculty and staff committed to providing excellent, transformative learning experiences for students, with a focus on giving them opportunities to demonstrate their faith and knowledge through loving God and our neighbors. I look forward to being a part of ensuring that, for generations to come, students have the opportunity to be a part of this life changing experience at Lipscomb.”
Lipscomb University is a vibrant Christian, liberal arts community with a student body of nearly 5,000 students that offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. The school is a Christ-centered community preparing learners for purposeful lives through rigorous academics and transformative experiences. The institution also includes Lipscomb Academy, a PreK2-12th grade college preparatory school of nearly 1,300 students.
A Top 50 Search Firm
Headquartered in Atlanta, CarterBaldwin provides executive search services in the healthcare, technology, non-profit, consumer services, industrial, and media/telecom sectors. Its clients include name-brand institutions, such as KPMG, ADP, Teradata, First Data, Duke University, New York Life, Fleet Pride, and Berkshire Hathaway. The firm is listed among a variety of rankings published by Hunt Scanlon Media, including its Top 50, Private Equity Power 100, and Top 40 Higher Education Search Firms.
CarterBaldwin Executive Search also recently placed J. Goosby Smith as the inaugural vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer at Pepperdine. April Harris Akinloye joined Smith as assistant vice president for community belonging.
How Culture Impacts an Organization
In this brand new episode of ‘Talent Talks,’ Rob Adams is joined by Chris Guiney, a partner at CarterBaldwin Executive Search. Here, Mr. Guiney discusses the topic of culture and its impact on organizations. He also examines how the culture of private equity firms differs from non-profit organizations and then closes by discussing the future impact of culture and DE+I initiatives. Listen Now!
The selection of a vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer is one in a series of initiatives that the university has been implementing to build and model “a diverse, informed, loving, and unified community” at Pepperdine. What began as a national search to identify a chief diversity officer expanded into the creation of two roles.
Related: CarterBaldwin Places 16th President at Oklahoma Baptist University
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
