RH Perry & Associates Leading President Search for Saint Martin’s University
December 14, 2023 – RH Perry & Associates has been retained by Saint Martin’s University in Lacy, WA, to lead in its search for a new president. Leading the assignment are senior consultants Sue DeWine and Jean Scott.
The Board of Trustees, the monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey, and the Saint Martin’s University community seek a servant leader with a comprehensive understanding of higher education who has the ability to be an inspiring and visionary leader while respecting Saint Martin’s foundational history, particularly its Benedictine heritage, traditions, and values. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic that understands and is deeply committed to Saint Martin’s Benedictine values and institutional mission. The firm is looking for candidates that understand and value the academic approach of Saint Martin’s including its values-driven liberal arts core curriculum and diverse array of majors, professional programs, and graduate education offerings. They should have a demonstrated a commitment to student engagement, transformational student success, and the education of the whole person, including a proven track record of successfully supporting traditionally underserved and underrepresented students.
Following back-to-back years of record-breaking fundraising, as well as a recent successful seventh-year accreditation visit, Saint Martin’s University is poised for significant growth and continued success in the coming decade in the areas of academic programming, institutional fundraising, and strategic community partnerships. The next president will have the opportunity to build upon the Benedictine values of hospitality, listening and community to ensure a campus climate of communication, transparency, mutual respect for shared governance, and collegiality
Saint Martin’s University is an independent, four-year coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings that seek to serve and promote the common good. With an enrollment of approximately 1,300 undergraduate and 250 graduate students, Saint Martin’s offers 31 majors, 11 master’s programs, one doctorate program and seven certificate programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, counseling, education, engineering, nursing, and leadership.
Higher Education Specialists
Established in 1974, RH Perry & Associates offers strong credentials and experience in academic executive search, having completed well over 1,000 searches in its history. Serving both two-year and four-year institutions, the firm’s higher education practice consists of senior-level executives with a well-balanced mix of college and university presidential and senior administrative experience and executive search expertise. Headquartered in Ashville, NC, RH Perry’s consultants maintain offices in Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
Related: RH Perry & Associates Recruits President for Onondaga Community College
Dr. DeWine has 45 years of experience as a higher education administrator, and fundraiser. She joined RH Perry & Associates in 2015 after more than 40 years in higher education. She has had a successful career in academia with extensive experience as an administrator, fundraiser, and communication consultant. She was a full professor and consultant to industry in a large public institution and provost and president at two small private colleges. Her expertise is academics.
Dr. Scott joined RH Perry & Associates in 2012, having served 38 years in faculty and administrative positions in independent and public universities. She has been part of the team that concluded presidential searches for Antioch University New England, Hood College, Immaculata University, the University of St. Joseph, and Utica College. Her senior administrative searches include Antioch University Seattle provost, California State University Fullerton dean of the college of humanities and social sciences and dean of the college of health and human development, Immaculata University provost, Lewis University dean of the college of business, San Jose State University vice president for student affairs, and Wesley College provost.
Current Assignment
RH Perry & Associates was recently retained by New Mexico Highlands University to lead in its search for its 23rd president. Sam Minner recently retired after nine years with the school. The president serves as chief executive officer of the university and reports to the board of regents. The president is expected to effectively execute the university’s strategic plan; commit to excellence in teaching, research, and public service; communicate the university’s mission and goals to a broad constituency; and raise the revenue required for the successful execution of the university’s strategic plan.
RH Perry & Associates is looking for candidates with experience with legislative bodies and an understanding of New Mexico’s legislative appropriation process. They should have prior experience working with NCAA or other significant college athletics. There is a preference for previous experience with unions or strong negotiation skills. Candidates should have administrative experience with regional centers or campuses as well as experience with developing athletic, residential, and auxiliary facilities and fundraising for that purpose.
Related: RH Perry & Associates Places President for Sterling College in Vermont
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
