Haley Associates Selected to Find Next President for Methodist University
June 7, 2018 – Higher education consulting and executive search firm Haley Associates has been chosen to help find the next president of Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. The search is being led by principal Katherine Haley.
The university’s previous president, Ben E. Hancock, retired last month after seven years in the role. Provost Delmas S. Crisp Jr. is serving as interim president.
Selected by a search committee that includes representatives from the school’s board of trustees, faculty, staff and students, Haley Associates will be accepting applications until July 31. “At that time, the search committee and Haley Associates will review the candidates and eventually will select finalists to bring to the campus to be interviewed by the board of trustees and the campus community,” said a statement from Methodist University. Interviews are scheduled for August and September.
Building on Success
Methodist University is seeking a dynamic and talented new president to build on the school’s notable success and momentum, foster innovation, hone its strategic priorities, build enrollment and enhance and leverage university resources, said the search firm.
The new president will be responsible for a wide-ranging agenda that covers strategic planning, fundraising, marketing and branding, community partnerships and relationships, campus engagement, enrollment and revenue streams, and the student experience.
Methodist University wants its next president to be a confident and collegial leader who reinforces a strong sense of community, a successful fundraiser and a pragmatic visionary who is results-oriented and capable of stewarding the university’s resources to support strategic goals, said the search firm. The individual should also understand the current landscape of higher education and the latest learning techniques and innovative strategies.
Liberal Arts Based
The future president must have sound management and financial skills, be an active listener/communicator who is open to ideas from all stakeholders and a builder and supporter of a collaborative senior team, said the search firm.
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Candidates should also have the ability to create a culture of empowerment and accountability throughout the organization. An earned terminal degree from an accredited institution is preferred.
Recruitment of Academia Presidents Rising
Reduced state funding, rising tuition costs, soaring student debt and decreased federal research funding have all contributed to a dramatic rise in the role search firms are playing in the recruitment of university presidents and chancellors.
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Founded in 1956, Methodist University is a comprehensive liberal arts-based university with a wide range of programming, including engineering, PGA golf management, physician assistant (MMS degree), nursing, forensics and athletic training, as well as doctorates in physical therapy and occupational therapy. With over 80 majors, minors and concentrations in five undergraduate schools and six graduate programs (DPT, OTD, MMS, MBA, MED, MJA), Methodist has an enrollment of nearly 2,250 students from over 40 states and more than 77 countries. University students have access to over 100 clubs and student organizations, as well as 20 highly competitive NCAA Division III athletic teams.
The school’s annual budget is close to $80 million. Its endowment is about $17 million.
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“Methodist’s next president will find a strong and successful institution which has grown significantly in enrollment, programs and facilities,” said Haley Associates. “The university has generated surpluses every year since 2005, with the funds being reinvested in campus and program enhancement.”
A Boutique Recruiter
Manchester, NH-based Haley Associates provides personalized services focused on the unique needs of the institutions and leaders it serves. A boutique firm, Haley Associates works on a limited number of consulting engagements and searches in order to remain a client-focused practice. Its services include strategic institutional assessment and modeling, board governance consultation and retreats, executive coaching for presidents and senior leaders, effective presidential transitions and presidential/senior leadership evaluations.
Dr. Haley is the former president of both Gettysburg College and Whittier College. She was the first woman president at both schools. As an executive search consultant, she has conducted numerous higher education leadership searches for institutions across the country, including over 35 presidential searches. She advises colleges and universities on leadership succession, governance and effective board performance.
Prior to her president roles, Dr. Haley was provost and professor of English at Kenyon College and dean of graduate study and director of general education at Augustana College. She has held leadership positions in a number of national higher education associations. She served as chair of the board of the Annapolis Group, the professional organization of the presidents of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges. Dr. Haley also served on the boards of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges, the American Council of Academic Deans, the Eisenhower Institute, the Lincoln Prize Board and the Gettysburg Foundation. She is a member of the board at Thomas College.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
