To the Members of Nazareth Community,
As we usher in Nazareth’s 101st year, the air is filled with energy and excitement as the campus comes alive for the upcoming Fall semester.
I am pleased to share that we have made significant progress over the summer in organizing the team and resources needed to conduct the Presidential Search for the 11th President of Nazareth University.
Thank you to our Search Committee Chair, Sergio Esteban, for his leadership in this endeavor. I also want to thank Andy Gallina, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, for all the time and guidance he has provided as we have set the footings for a nationwide search.
I also want to express my deep appreciation to Dr. Beth Paul for her continued leadership of the University and her counsel during this transition period. The Board of Trustees recognizes Dr. Paul’s strategic and dynamic leadership, which has firmly positioned Nazareth University for continued growth and success. I am equally grateful to the Cabinet team for their tireless efforts this summer on enrollment, the launch of the PA program, and preparation for the Fall semester. Finally, I want to acknowledge the faculty and staff whose dedication and hard work continue to advance Nazareth and provide invaluable support to our students.
I am excited to announce that we have retained the search firm DGS Storbeck to lead the search for the next President of Nazareth University. The selection of DGS Storbeck was made after careful consideration and the evaluation of several highly regarded firms. DGS Storbeck was selected for its deep expertise in executive searches within higher education and its demonstrated proven track record.
The DGS Storbeck team is led by Managing Director Steve Leo, who has experience working with mission-driven colleges and universities. Steve, along with senior Associate Vicki Henderson, will work closely with the Search Committee Chair and our Presidential Search Committee to ensure a comprehensive process that reflects the strategic goals and community values of Nazareth University.
During the recent Board of Trustees’ annual meeting in July, Steve spent a significant amount of time with the Trustees to outline the elements of the search process. The Board formally approved the search process to identify the next President of Nazareth University.
To attract the most qualified candidates, we will conduct a confidential search. Therefore, we are unable to provide the community at large with any identifying information about the candidates going forward. We do anticipate that our final candidates will meet with small groups of key University stakeholders, and to that end, we will begin the process of identifying those groups in the months ahead. All those participating in meetings with the final candidates will be asked to sign a non-disclosure/confidentiality form, as did all members of the Search Committee and the Board.
Nazareth community input is essential at this initial stage of the search. We want to hear your thoughts about the University’s priorities and about the qualities, skills, and experiences you will be looking for in the next president. On September 4, our search consultants will be on campus holding a series of meetings and forums with students, faculty, staff, and administrators (times and location listed below). If you are unable to attend those meetings, we encourage you to complete a community survey, which will provide invaluable insights to the Search Committee regarding the qualities sought in a new president. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.
In-Person Forums
The Search Committee is committed to being as transparent and communicative as possible. To this end, a presidential search webpage has been created, which will allow the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee to provide updates and important information to the community. Presidential search FAQ »
The 18-member Search Committee consists of six active members of the Board of Trustees, four faculty members, four staff members, two students, and one Alumna. The Committee incorporates representatives from across the University’s diverse constituencies and is committed to ensuring the continuation of the vital work that happens at Nazareth today, as well as the University’s growth and success in the future.
The Presidential Search Committee members are:
If you have an individual (or individuals) whom you would like to nominate for the presidency, you can share their name and contact information with our DSG Storbeck team directly and confidentially at NazPresident@dsgco.com.
We expect to begin the advertising and recruiting phase of the search process in the next few weeks. We anticipate that the search will continue through the end of the year, with the goal of identifying a small group of candidates to recommend to the Board by January. The Committee is mindful that the final selection of Nazareth University’s next president is ultimately up to the Board of Trustees.
Thank you for your support and your participation in the search process.
Sincerely,
John J. Drain '83
Chair of the Nazareth University Board of Trustees