smallest hero image

Presidential Search

The Search for Washington College's 31st President

Following Interim President Wayne Powell's assessment earlier this spring that Washington College will thrive best under the leadership of a permanent  president, the institution is conducting a national search.  The 17-member search committee, led by College Trustee William Harvey P’10, is working with executive search firm WittKieffer, of Bethesda, Maryland, to assist with that process. 

Presidential Search Update 

Chestertown aerial
 
 
The Search Committee has had expressions of interest or applications from a very impressive group of candidates to be Washington College’s next President. With the assistance of WittKieffer, our search firm, a pool of more than 30 individuals was recommended to the Search Committee for consideration. In June, the Committee members reviewed and ranked these individuals, narrowing the pool to 13 candidates to participate in the first round of interviews. This initial interview pool was an extraordinary group of people—diverse, experienced, and knowledgeable about higher education. They are also inspired by Washington College’s potential. Reflecting on the first-round interviews, the Search Committee selected a smaller group to bring back for a second round of interviews. Based on this second round of interviews in July, the Committee will then determine who they would like to invite for open forums and on-campus interviews later in the month. Using feedback from these forums and interviews, the Committee will then determine which of the finalists they will recommend to the Board of Visitors and Governors for their consideration.  
 

 

The Presidential Search Prospectus

Gibson Center exterior

Washington College seeks a visionary and transformational leader with several qualities and capabilities, including higher education experience, the ability to unite and inspire, operational and financial prowess, exceptional written and oral communication skills, marketing and fundraising experience, a commitment to diversity, equity, & inclusion, and an appreciation for community engagement.

Read the Prospectus

 


The Job of Washington College's Next President

Martha Washington Square

Washington College invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest in the position of President. The successful candidate will be a strategic visionary who can focus on student-centered academic excellence and co-curricular engagement.

This leader, working with a team of dedicated faculty and staff as well as committed members of the Board of Visitors and Governors, will be an inspiring fundraiser, a committed advocate for social justice and internal and external community engagement, and a champion of transparency, collaboration, and the overall mission of the College.

Read the Job posting

 


Your Voice Matters

Alumni voices

As we endeavor to identify the ideal candidate who can build upon the College’s legacy while developing innovative solutions to the challenges we face in the higher education marketplace today, we invited each constituency—students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni—to offer their thoughts and perspectives. During the first week of April, the Search Committee sponsored a series of listening forums, using the questions below to ascertain the key qualities of a successful presidential candidate. This information helped the Committee frame the Presidental Search Prospective and the Job Posting, shared above.

  • What does Washington College need most in a new leader?
  • What is the most important thing you would want the new president to know?
  • What is the most important thing you would want the Search Committee to know?

SEARCH COMMITTEE FINDINGS

 


The Search Firm

To suggest potential candidates or forward nominations, or to send inquiries or comments to the entire search team, please email WashCol-President@wittkieffer.com.

Physical mail may be directed to:

WittKieffer
Attn: Washington College President Search
Lucy Leske/Sheila Murphy/Bree Liddell/Colleen Reich
2015 Spring Road, Suite 510
Oak Brook, IL 60523
 

The following individuals comprise the WittKieffer consulting team focused on the Washington College search: 

 


Washington College's presidential search timeline is presented in a flowchart that is regularly updated to keep students, faculty, and staff informed.

Washington mosaic

Presidential Search Committee

William J. Harvey P’10, Committee Chair

Richard D. Wood III ’91, Committee Vice Chair

Stephen T. Golding ’72 P’05, BVG Chair (Ex Officio)

Rebecca Corbin Loree ’00

Hugh Sherman

Valarie A. Sheppard ’86

John H. Timken ’03

Beth Warehime ’13

Richard T.  Wheeler ’86

Sara Clarke-De Reza, Faculty Council

Elizabeth O'Connor, Tenure and Promotion Committee

Shaun Ramsey, Faculty Council

Braxton Berry ’23, Student Government Association

Prince Kagunyi ’23, Student Government Association

Ben Wang '22 

Mike Nichols '22

Robert C. Page ’01, Alumni Board (Ex Officio)

Susannah Chase ’90 P’21, Senior Staff

Benjamin Ford, Staff Council

Victor Sensenig, Senior Staff — staffing Presidential Search Committee