RH Perry & Associates Recruits 12th President for Saint Martin’s University
April 2, 2024 – Following a competitive nationwide search, RH Perry & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of William Brownsberger as the 12th president of Saint Martin’s University in Lacy, WA, to lead in its search for a new president. Leading the assignment were senior consultants Sue DeWine and Jean Scott. “We look forward to this next chapter for Saint Martin’s with Dr. Brownsberger’s leadership,” said Medrice Coluccio, chair of the university board of trustees. “With leadership transition comes a spirit of potentiality and opportunity to reimagine our future while honoring our Catholic Benedictine tradition in service of today’s and tomorrow’s students.”
The presidential search committee consisted of 15 representatives from the Saint Martin’s community, spanning Saint Martin’s Abbey, faculty, staff, students, board of trustees and the Archdiocese of Seattle. Entrusted with the mission of finding a president capable of guiding Saint Martin’s towards greater financial stability and academic distinction, the committee sought individuals with strategic foresight and a commitment to transparent servant leadership. Their objective was to uphold the institution’s compassionate, transformative educational ethos within the framework of the Catholic Benedictine tradition.
“Dr. Brownsberger’s experience at other Catholic colleges and universities will be an asset at Saint Martin’s University as we continue our 128-year tradition of providing a uniquely Catholic Benedictine education,” said Abbot Marion Nguyen, chancellor of Saint Martin’s University. “We welcome Dr. Brownsberger and his family to our academic community and look forward to the next chapter of our university’s future with his leadership and vision.”
Dr. Brownsberger currently serves as the vice president of academic affairs and workforce solutions at Mountain Empire Community College. He will assume the presidency on July 1.
Dr. Brownsberger brings 23 years of higher education experience to the role, rising through the faculty ranks and into administration at several Catholic institutions in the U.S. and Italy. In his current position at Mountain Empire Community College, he works closely with external community and industry partners to build workforce development pathways for students and the region, manages division finances and engages with students and other stakeholders in the academic affairs of the college. Previously, Dr. Brownsberger served as dean of the college of arts and sciences at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX, where he led the college’s fundraising revenue generation efforts, faculty workloads and scheduling, and budget management.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Saint Martin’s University and honored by the trust this community has placed in me as its next president,” said Dr. Brownsberger. “I look forward to working with the talented faculty, staff, administration, trustees, and monks toward a bright future of service to students in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.”
Related: RH Perry & Associates Places President for Sterling College in Vermont
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.
RH Perry & Associates Recruits 19th President for New Mexico Highlands University
RH Perry & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Neil Woolfe as the 23rd president of New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU). Sam Minner recently retired after nine years with the school. Dr. Woolf has been appointed to a conditional five-year term with an annual salary of $290,000, and he will begin his term once Dr. Minner has completed his contract, no later than July 1, 2024. The board of regents unanimously selected Dr. Woolf after weighing input from the NMHU and Las Vegas community and with the assistance of RH Perry & Associates.
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 the 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.
Related: RH Perry & Associates Recruits President for Onondaga Community College
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
