WittKieffer Tapped by the University of Tulsa for President Search
February 18, 2026 – Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has been retained by the University of Tulsa (UTulsa) to lead in its search for a new president. Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Julia Bradley are leading the assignment. The school seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as its next president and to guide the private research institution to the next phase of success. The incoming president will need to prioritize several key initiatives to ensure the institution’s continued growth and stability.
The board is in the process of developing a financially sustainable pathway, which emphasizes innovation in cybersecurity, energy, and STEM fields while reinforcing the liberal arts foundation; strengthening student support systems and enhancing career readiness as students transition into the workforce; stewarding budgets and finances that balance academic excellence with sustainable operations; emphasizing community engagement and service; and maintaining a vibrant campus culture that upholds UTulsa’s identity and mission.
The next president must possess a strong commitment to excellence in higher education, demonstrated leadership skills in managing a complex organization, and the ability to work collaboratively with UTulsa’s board of trustees. This leader also must have a record demonstrating commitment to maintaining a robust system of shared governance and to navigating a challenging landscape in academia.
As the chief representative of the university to a wide variety of external constituencies, the president must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to connect with a variety of groups and constituents, both internal and external to the institution. The president must be a decisive leader who embodies integrity, is responsive, collaborative, and creative, and is dedicated to student success and wellbeing.
The University of Tulsa is a private research university located in Tulsa, OK. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, organized into several colleges, including the Kendall College of Arts & Sciences, the Collins College of Business, the College of Engineering & Computer Science, the College of Law, the Honors College, and the Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences, each offering specialized programs and research opportunities.
Related: WittKieffer Helps Recruit 22nd President for Rutgers University
WittKieffer assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools, and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device companies; colleges and universities, and not-for-profit community service and cultural organizations with senior administrative recruiting assignments. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives, and other leaders.
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As a higher education administrator and search consultant for two decades, Dr. Smith leverages a breadth of organizational and leadership experience in delivering service and results for his clients. Based in Irvine, CA, he conducts searches for senior executives within education, healthcare and the nonprofit sector. Dr. Smith has supported and led presidential searches for AAU, research, regional comprehensive, polytechnic and liberal arts institutions. He has also supported executive leadership searches for a broad range of public and private universities and healthcare organizations, in areas ranging from advancement to athletics to finance.
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Ms. Pendleton, who works out of WittKieffer’s Oak Brook office, joined the firm in 2014. She works to identify presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans, and chief diversity officers on behalf of public and private universities and colleges and other senior leaders in non-profit organizations. She is a member of the firm’s diversity council and director of its community fund.
Ms. Bradley is committed to partnering with colleges and universities to identify visionary leaders – including presidents, provosts, CFOs, and deans – who can advance institutional missions and lead transformative change. With over a decade of experience in all aspects of executive search, she is recognized for her dedication to exceptional client service and her thoughtful, personalized engagement with candidates throughout the search process.
Related: WittKieffer Seeking CHRO for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
